Lithium phosphide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Names | |
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| Other names
Trilithium phosphide | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.824 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| Li3P | |
| Molar mass | 51.79 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Red-brown crystals |
| Density | 1.43 g/cm3 |
| Reacts | |
| Structure | |
| hexagonal | |
| Related compounds | |
Other anions |
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Other cations |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Lithium phosphide is an inorganic compound of lithium and phosphorus with the chemical formula Li3P. This dark colored compound is formally the lithium salt of phosphine, consisting of lithium cations Li+ and phosphide anions P3−. It is hazardous to handle because of its high reactivity toward air.[1]
Heating red phosphorus and lithium in an argon atmosphere:[1]
- 12 Li + P4 → 4 Li3P
Reaction of monolithium phosphide and lithium:
- LiP + 2 Li → Li3P
Physical and chemical properties
Lithium phosphide forms red-brown crystals of hexagonal systems, space group P63/mmc,[2] cell parameters a = 0.4264 nm, c = 0.7579 nm, Z = 2.[3][4]
The compound is a very strong base, and reacts with water to release phosphine:[5]
- Li3P + 3 H2O → 3 LiOH + PH3
Uses
The compound is proposed to be used as a potential electrolyte for solid-state devices.[6]
Related compounds
Reaction of lithium with red phosphorus at 870 °C gives Li3P7.[7]