Ytterbium(III) phosphide

Ytterbium(III) phosphide is an inorganic compound of ytterbium and phosphorus with the chemical formula YbP.^[1] This is one of the phosphides of ytterbium.^[2][3]

Ytterbium(III) phosphide

Names
Other names Phosphanylidyneytterbium
Identifiers
CAS Number	12037-71-7
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
EC Number	234-865-2
InChI InChI=1S/P.Yb Key: SYXPIBUUJXGISU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES P#[Yb]
Properties
Chemical formula	PYb
Molar mass	204.01
Appearance	Black crystals
Density	6.94 g/cm3
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Structure
Crystal structure	Cubic
Related compounds
Other anions	Ytterbium nitride Ytterbium arsenide Ytterbium antimonide
Other cations	Thulium phosphide Lutetium phosphide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

Ytterbium and phosphine reacts in liquid ammonia to form Yb(PH₂)₂·5NH₃, which can be decomposed to obtain ytterbium(III) phosphide:^[4]

Yb(PH₂)₂•5NH₃ → Yb(PH₂)₂ + 5NH₃

2Yb(PH₂)₂ → YbP + 2PH₃ + H₂

Physical properties

Ytterbium(III) phosphide decomposes at or above 550 °C:

12 YbP → 4 Yb₃P₂ + P₄

It is soluble in hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and aqua regia.

The compound forms black crystals of a cubic system, space group Fm3m.^[5]

Uses

The ytterbium(III) phosphide compound is a semiconductor used in high power, high frequency applications and in laser and other photo diodes.^[1]