White phosphorus is a translucent white waxy solid. It is poisonous, insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulphide and glows in dark (chemiluminescence). It dissolves in boiling NaOH solution in an inert atmosphere giving PH3.
P4+3NaOH+3H2O→PH3+3NaH2PO2(sodiumhypophosphite)
Sodium hypophosphite is a salt of Phosphinic acid (Hypophosphorous acid).