title: Lithium phosphide
text: # 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.
  
  