View source for Copper(I) phosphide

{{chembox
| Verifiedfields = changed
| Watchedfields = changed
| verifiedrevid = 425358590
| ImageFile = Cu3Pstructure.jpg
| ImageSize = 
| IUPACName = copper(I) phosphide
| OtherNames = copper phosphide, cuprous phosphide
|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|??}}
| CASNo = 12019-57-7
| PubChem = 159399
|  ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|changed|chemspider}}
| ChemSpiderID = 9725097
|  SMILES = [Cu+].[Cu+].[Cu+].[PH6-3]
|  InChI = 1/3Cu.P/q3*+1;-3
|  InChIKey = GKCDETHKBNXQFR-UHFFFAOYAH
|  StdInChI_Ref = {{stdinchicite|changed|chemspider}}
| StdInChI = 1S/3Cu.P/q3*+1;-3

|  StdInChIKey_Ref = {{stdinchicite|changed|chemspider}}
| StdInChIKey = GKCDETHKBNXQFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N}}
|Section2={{Chembox Properties
| Formula = Cu<sub>3</sub>P
| MolarMass = 221.6127 g/mol
| Appearance = yellowish grey crystals
| Density = 
| MeltingPtC = 900
| BoilingPt = 
| Solubility = 
| MagSus = −33.0·10<sup>−6</sup> cm<sup>3</sup>/mol
}}
|Section3={{Chembox Structure
| CrystalStruct = [[Sodium arsenide|{{chem|Na|3|As}}]] (hexagonal, [[Pearson symbol|hP24]])<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Olofsson |first1=Olle |last2=Holmlund |first2=Lars |last3=Ingri |first3=Nils |last4=Tricker |first4=M. J. |last5=Svensson |first5=Sigfrid |title=The Crystal Structure of Cu3P. |journal=Acta Chemica Scandinavica |date=1972 |volume=26 |pages=2777–2787 |doi=10.3891/acta.chem.scand.26-2777|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wolff |first1=Alexander |last2=Doert |first2=Thomas |last3=Hunger |first3=Jens |last4=Kaiser |first4=Martin |last5=Pallmann |first5=Julia |last6=Reinhold |first6=Romy |last7=Yogendra |first7=Sivatmeehan |last8=Giebeler |first8=Lars |last9=Sichelschmidt |first9=Jörg |last10=Schnelle |first10=Walter |last11=Whiteside |first11=Rachel |last12=Gunaratne |first12=H. Q. Nimal |last13=Nockemann |first13=Peter |last14=Weigand |first14=Jan J. |last15=Brunner |first15=Eike |last16=Ruck |first16=Michael |title=Low-Temperature Tailoring of Copper-Deficient Cu 3– x P—Electric Properties, Phase Transitions, and Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries |journal=Chemistry of Materials |date=2018-10-23 |volume=30 |issue=20 |pages=7111–7123 |doi=10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b02950|url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/lowtemperature-tailoring-of-copperdeficient-cu3xp--electric-properties-phase-transitions-and-performance-in-lithiumion-batteries(4c563adc-aea4-4644-8b60-4cd71e4db25a).html }}</ref>
| SpaceGroup = P6<sub>3</sub>cm, No. 185
  }}
|Section4={{Chembox Hazards
| PEL = TWA 1 mg/m<sup>3</sup> (as Cu)<ref name=PGCH>{{PGCH|0150}}</ref>
| REL = TWA 1 mg/m<sup>3</sup> (as Cu)<ref name=PGCH/>
| IDLH =  TWA 100 mg/m<sup>3</sup> (as Cu)<ref name=PGCH/>
}}
}}

'''Copper phosphide''', '''{{chem2|Cu3P}}''', also '''copper(I) phosphide''', '''cuprous phosphide''', '''cuprophosphorus''' and '''phosphor copper''', is a compound of [[copper]] and [[phosphorus]], a [[phosphide]] of copper. It has the appearance of yellowish-grey very brittle mass of crystalline structure. It does not react with water.

Recent crystallographic investigations have proven Cu<sub>3</sub>P to be copper deficient, which means that the sum formula of this compound is more accurately expressed as Cu<sub>3−x</sub>P.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wolff|first1=Alexander|last2=Doert|first2=Thomas|last3=Hunger|first3=Jens|last4=Kaiser|first4=Martin|last5=Pallmann|first5=Julia|last6=Reinhold|first6=Romy|last7=Yogendra|first7=Sivatmeehan|last8=Giebeler|first8=Lars|last9=Sichelschmidt|first9=Jörg|date=2018-10-23|title=Low-Temperature Tailoring of Copper-Deficient Cu 3– x P—Electric Properties, Phase Transitions, and Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries|journal=Chemistry of Materials|language=en|volume=30|issue=20|pages=7111–7123|doi=10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b02950|issn=0897-4756|url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/ws/files/158142081/Low_Temperature_Tailoring_of_Copper_Deficient_Cu3_xP_Electric_Properties_Phase_Transitions_and_Performance_in_Lithium_Ion_Batteries.pdf}}</ref>

Copper phosphide has a role in [[copper alloys]], namely in [[phosphor bronze]]. It is a very good [[deoxidizer]] of copper.

Copper phosphide can be produced in a [[reverberatory furnace]] or in a [[crucible]], e.g. by a reaction of red [[phosphorus]] with a copper-rich material. It can also be prepared photochemically, by irradiating [[cupric hypophosphite]] with ultraviolet radiation.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4113484.html|title = Electrophotographic elements and processes. United States Patent 4113484|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref> It can also be produced by reducing copper(II) phosphate with aluminum.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lucheva |first1=B. |last2=Tsonev |first2=Ts. |last3=Petkov |first3=R. |title=Method for Obtaining of Copper-Phosphorus Alloys |journal=Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy |date=31 August 2005 |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=235–238 |url=https://journal.uctm.edu/node/j2005-3/Lucheva.pdf}}</ref>

When subjected to [[ultraviolet]] light, copper phosphide shows [[fluorescence]].

A blue-black film of copper phosphide forms on [[white phosphorus]] when subjected to a solution of copper salt; wounds containing particles of phosphorus therefore have to be washed with 1% solution of [[copper sulfate]]. The particles then can be easily removed, which is helped by their fluorescence.  Formation of protective layer of copper phosphide is also used in cases of phosphorus ingestion, when gastric lavage with [[copper sulfate]] is employed as part of the cure.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2009-06-06|url=http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/212900.htm|title=Copper Poisoning: Introduction|archive-date=2010-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126012629/http://merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/212900.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Copper compounds}}
{{phosphides}}
{{phosphorus compounds}}

[[Category:Phosphides]]
[[Category:Copper(I) compounds]]
[[Category:Deoxidizers]]