Lithium phosphide
# Lithium phosphide

Lithium phosphide is an inorganic compound of lithium and phosphorus with the chemical formula Li $_3P.$

## Synthesis

Heating white phosphorus and lithium in an argon atmosphere:

       ${\ce {12Li + P_4 -> 4Li3P}}$

Reaction of monolithium phosphide and lithium:

       ${\ce {LiP + 2Li -> Li3P}}$

## Physical properties

Lithium phosphide forms red-brown crystals of hexagonal systems, space group $P6_3/mmc,$ cell parameters a = 0.4264 nm, c = 0.7579 nm, Z = 2.

## Chemical properties

The compound can react with water to release phosphine:

       ${\ce {Li3P + 3H2O -> 3LiOH + PH3}}$

## Uses

The compound is proposed to be used as a potential electrolyte for solid-state devices.

