Sodium hypophosphite

Sodium hypophosphite is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is NaH2PO2. It contains sodium and hypophosphite ions. 

Properties
It is a white solid. It is a strong reducing agent. When it is heated, it produces phosphine gas and sodium phosphite. It is quite poisonous. It can be oxidized to sodium phosphate.

Preparation
It is made by heating white phosphorus in sodium hydroxide solution. This makes phosphine gas and sodium hypophosphite.

Uses
It is used for nickel plating without doing electrolysis. 

Related pages
Phosphorus
Phosphate
Hypochlorite

Category:Phosphorus compounds
Category:Sodium compounds