Alkali metal phosphides and the lower hydrides of phosphorus. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Mar 03 04:00:00 EST 1955

OSTI ID:6212602

Evers, E C

Procedures employed in the preparation of Li/sub 4/P/sub 2/, Na/sub 4/P/sub 2/, KNa/sub 3/P/sub 2/, KLi/sub 3/P/sub 2/, K/sub 6/P/sub 4/, KPH/sub 2/ and NaPH/sub 2/ in liquid ammonia are described. The chemical interrelation of these substances are discussed, and in particular, the structures of the polyphosphides are considered as exemplified by their chemical properties. It is demonstrated, for example, that Na/sub 4/P/sub 2/ and its ammonolysis product, Na/sub 2/H/sub 2/P/sub 2/, may be looked upon as being derived from the parent acid, biphosphine, H/sub 4/P/sub 2/. Furthermore, it is shown that Na/sub 4/P/sub 2/ may be reduced to NaPH/sub 2/ under suitable conditions, and that H/sub 4/P/sub 2/ may be converted to the same compound by reduction with sodium. It was necessary to prepare and have available considerable quantities of biphosphine. This study lead to an improved method of synthesis, employing the hydrolysis of calcium phosphide. Finally, the decomposition of biphosphine, both in the absence of solvent and in liquid ammonia at -34/sup 0/, was investigated.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
• OSTI ID: 6212602
• Report Number(s): NP-5900160; ON: DE85900160
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AMMONIA
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM PHOSPHIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
PHOSPHIDES
PHOSPHINES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PNICTIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM PHOSPHIDES
REDUCTION
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM PHOSPHIDES
SYNTHESIS