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Title: Pressure-induced polymerization of P(CN) 3

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919640· OSTI ID:1338321

Motivated to explore the formation of novel extended carbon-nitrogen solids via well-defined molecular precursor pathways, we studied the chemical reactivity of highly pure phosphorous tricyanide, P(CN)3, under conditions of high pressure at room temperature. Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopic measurements reveal a series of phase transformations below 10 GPa, and several low-frequency vibrational modes are reported for the first time. Synchrotron powder Xray diffraction (PXRD) measurements taken during compression show that molecular P(CN)3 is highly compressible with a bulk modulus of 10.0±0.3 GPa and polymerizes into an amorphous solid above ~10.0 GPa. Raman and infrared (IR) spectra, together with first-principles molecular-dynamics simulations, show that the amorphization transition is associated with polymerization of the cyanide groups into CN bonds with predominantly sp2 character, similar to known carbon nitrides, resulting in a novel PCN polymeric phase, which is recoverable to ambient pressure.

Research Organization:
Carnegie Inst. of Science, Washington, DC (United States). Geophysical Lab.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0002006; AC02-06CH11357; FG02-99ER45775; NA0001974
OSTI ID:
1338321
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1228173
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 142, Issue 19; ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 14 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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