Carbon monophosphide is a diatomic chemical with formula
C P. It is a heavier analog of the
cyanide radical (CN). CP and CN are both open-shell species with doublet Π ground electronic states while the ground states of
CS and
CO are closed-shell. The related anion, CP
−, is called
cyaphide and isoelectronic with CS.
Detection in interstellar medium
Carbon monophosphide was detected in the circumstellar envelope of the star
IRC +10216
CW Leonis or IRC +10216 is a variable carbon star that is embedded in a thick dust envelope. It was first discovered in 1969 by a group of astronomers led by Eric Becklin, based upon infrared observations made with the 62-inch Caltech ...
in 1990,
observed with the
IRAM 30m radiotelescope.
References
{{Molecules detected in outer space
Inorganic carbon compounds
Phosphides