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phosphorus-based life
Extraterrestrial life based on the element phosphorus, instead of carbon, has been suggested as a remote possibility. However, although phosphorus can be conceived of as a potential biochemical building block, with phosphine (PH3) as a compatible solvent, a major stumbling is the poor variety of phosphorus hydrides. At best, it seems that phosphorus might be able to form chains with other elements such as carbon, silicon, or nitrogen.
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