Bismuth phosphide is a proposed

inorganic compound An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds⁠that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as ''inorganic chemistry''. Inorgan ...

with the chemical formula BiP. The structure of this material is unknown.

Synthesis

One route entails the reaction of

sodium phosphide Sodium phosphide is the inorganic compound with the formula Na3P. It is a black solid. It is often described as Na+ salt of the P3− anion. Na3P is a source of the highly reactive phosphide anion. It should not be confused with sodium phosphate, ...

and

bismuth trichloride Bismuth chloride (or butter of bismuth) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BiCl3. It is a covalent compound and is the common source of the Bi3+ ion. In the gas phase and in the crystal, the species adopts a pyramidal structure, i ...

toluene Toluene (), also known as toluol (), is a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula , often abbreviated as , where Ph stands for the phenyl group. It is a colorless, water Water is an inorganic compound with the c ...

(0 °C): : Another method uses

tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula P(SiMe3)3 (Me = methyl). It is a colorless liquid that ignites in air and hydrolyses readily. Synthesis Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine is prepared by treating trimeth ...

in place of the sodium phosphide.

Physical properties

When heated in air, bismuth phosphide burns. When heated in an atmosphere of

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...

, a gradual volatilization of phosphorus is observed.

Chemical properties

This compound is oxidized when boiled in water. All strong acids dissolve it.

References

{{Phosphides Phosphides Bismuth compounds Semiconductors