CompuServe Messages

Doug, You can find both phosphides and phosphonium salts among minerals from a few hydrothermal reducing zones. Most often, though, you find hypophosphites, that can decompose when acidified into phosphine and phosphate. Not to worry, though, these are really uncommon. When they occur at all, they occur along with native metals (arsenic, antimony, copper) and their sulfides, selenides, etc. The reduced phosphorous compounds are not stable with respect to air, so once exposed, their lifetimes are quite short. A good place to look for these fleeting things is in volcanic fumaroles, below the level at which native sulfur deposits. Though I'm not sure I would describe some place with superheated steam and hydrogen sulfide as a "good" place, on any terms. In fact, it's more reminiscent of that Christian place for bad people… — Norm