Molybdenum monophosphide

Molybdenum monophosphide is a binary inorganic compound of molybdenum metal and phosphorus with the chemical formula MoP.^[1][2][3]

Molybdenum monophosphide

Names
IUPAC name Phosphanylidynemolybdenum
Identifiers
CAS Number	12163-69-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	74851
ECHA InfoCard	100.032.090
EC Number	235-312-8
PubChem CID	134067814
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID30923899
InChI InChI=1S/Mo.P Key: AMWVZPDSWLOFKA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Mo]#P
Properties
Chemical formula	MoP
Molar mass	126.92 g·mol−1
Appearance	black crystals
Density	7.34 g/cm3
Solubility in water	insoluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P280, P304, P305, P338, P340, P351, P405, P501
Related compounds
Related compounds	Trimolybdenum phosphide, molybdenum diphosphide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation

Molybdenum monophosphide can be obtained from electrolysis of molten molybdenum hexametaphosphate:^[4]

4 Mo(PO₃)₆ → 4 MoP + 10 P₂O₅ + 9 O₂

It can also be prepared from heating of a mixture of molybdenum and metaphosphoric acid in a carbon crucible:

2 Mo + 2 HPO₃ + 5 C → 2 MoP + 5 CO + H₂O

Other reactions are known too.^[5][6]

Properties

Molybdenum monophosphide forms black crystals of hexagonal crystal system with space group P6m2.^[7] It is insoluble in water. Molybdenum monophosphide decomposes when heated in air:

4 MoP + 11 O₂ → 4 MoO₃ + 2 P₂O₅

Uses

Molybdenum monophosphide can be used as a catalyst.^[8][9]