Calcium monophosphide is the inorganic compound with the formula CaP. It is sometimes also known as "calcium phosphide", which also describes a different compound with composition Ca₃P₂. Calcium monophosphide is a black solid.

Structure and properties

The structures of CaP and

sodium peroxide Sodium peroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula Na2O2. This yellowish solid is the product of sodium ignited in excess oxygen. It is a strong base. This metal peroxide exists in several hydrates and peroxyhydrates including Na2O2·2H ...

(Na₂O₂) are very similar. The solid is described as a salt: (Ca²⁺)₂P₂⁴⁻, or Ca₂P₂. Since the bonding is ionic, the diphosphide centers carry negative charge and are easily protonated. Upon hydrolysis this material releases

diphosphine Diphosphane, or diphosphine, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula P2H4. This colourless liquid is one of several binary phosphorus hydrides. It is the impurity that typically causes samples of phosphine to ignite in air. Proper ...

(P₂H₄): :Ca₂P₂ + 4 H₂O → 2 Ca(OH)₂ + P₂H₄ The hydrolyses of CaP and

calcium carbide Calcium carbide, also known as calcium acetylide, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of Ca C2. Its main use industrially is in the production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide. The pure material is colorless, while pieces of te ...

(CaC₂) are similar, except that diphosphine spontaneously ignites in air. Thus, CaP must be protected from air. CaP decomposes to Ca₃P₂ at about 600 °C. :3 CaP → Ca₃P₂ + 1/4 P₄

References

{{Phosphides Phosphides Calcium compounds