Molybdenum diphosphide

Molybdenum diphosphide is a binary inorganic compound of molybdenum metal and phosphorus with the chemical formula MoP₂.^[1][2]

Molybdenum diphosphide

Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/Mo.2P Key: YDGMHDVXDKIUNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Mo].[P].[P]
Properties
Chemical formula	MoP2
Molar mass	157.90 g·mol−1
Appearance	black crystals
Density	5.35 g/cm3
Solubility in water	insoluble
Related compounds
Related compounds	Molybdenum monophosphide, Trimolybdenum phosphide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

Molybdenum diphosphide can be obtained by heating molybdenum with red phosphorus in a closed tube at 550 °C:

Mo + 2P → MoP₂

Properties

Molybdenum diphosphide forms black crystals of orthorhombic crystal system with space group A2₁am.^[3][4] It is insoluble in water. It decomposes when heated, releasing molybdenum monophosphide and white phosphorus:

4MoP₂ → 4MoP + P₄

Uses

Molybdenum diphosphide can be used as a catalyst.^[5]