Lithium phosphide is an inorganic compound of lithium and phosphorus with the chemical formula . This dark colored compound is formally the lithium salt of phosphine, consisting of lithium cations and phosphide anions . It is hazardous to handle because of its high reactivity toward air.
Synthesis Heating red phosphorus and lithium in an argon atmosphere:
Reaction of monolithium phosphide and lithium:
Physical and chemical properties Lithium phosphide forms red-brown crystals of hexagonal systems, space group P63/mmc, cell parameters a = 0.4264 nm, c = 0.7579 nm, Z = 2.
The compound is a very strong base, and reacts with water to release phosphine:
Uses The compound is proposed to be used as a potential electrolyte for solid-state devices.
Related compounds Reaction of lithium with red phosphorus at 870 °C gives .
Safety Alkali metal phosphides are dangerous compounds when exposed to oxygen or moisture.
Further reading
References