Molybdenum monophosphide


Molybdenum monophosphide is a binary inorganic compound of molybdenum metal and phosphorus with the chemical formula.

Preparation

Molybdenum monophosphide can be obtained from electrolysis of molten molybdenum hexametaphosphate:
It can also be prepared from heating of a mixture of molybdenum and metaphosphoric acid in a carbon crucible:
Other reactions are known too.

Properties

Molybdenum monophosphide forms black crystals of hexagonal crystal system with space group P6m2. It is insoluble in water. Molybdenum monophosphide decomposes when heated in air:

Uses

Molybdenum monophosphide can be used as a catalyst.