Ytterbium(III) phosphide is an inorganic compound of ytterbium and phosphorus with the chemical formula YbP. This is one of the phosphides of ytterbium.
Synthesis Ytterbium and phosphine react in liquid ammonia to form Yb(PH2)2·5NH3, which can be decomposed to obtain ytterbium(III) phosphide:
Yb(PH2)2•5NH3 → Yb(PH2)2 + 5NH3
2Yb(PH2)2 → YbP + 2PH3 + H2
Physical properties Ytterbium(III) phosphide decomposes at or above 550 °C:
12 YbP → 4 Yb3P2 + P4 It is soluble in hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and aqua regia.
The compound forms black crystals of a cubic system, space group Fm3m.
Uses The ytterbium(III) phosphide compound is a semiconductor used in high power, high frequency applications and in laser and other photo diodes.
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