Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

Potassium phosphide

Potassium phosphide is an inorganic semiconductor compound with the formula K3P. It appears as a green crystalline solid or powder. It reacts violently with water (even on contact with air) and is toxic via ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. It has a hexagonal structure.

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Jul 30, 2026
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Potassium phosphide
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Crystal structure of potassium phosphide (K3P)
Names
Other names
  • Tripotassium;phosphanide
  • Tripotassium;phosphorus(3-)
  • Tripotassium phosphide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.040.004
EC Number
  • 244-021-5
UNII
  • InChI=1S/3K.P/q3*+1;-3
    Key: YCIITCDBMPCIPR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [P-3].[K+].[K+].[K+]
Properties
K3P
Molar mass 148.269 g mol−1
Appearance Green crystalline solid or powder
Thermochemistry1
49.8 J mol−1 K−1
−1.77 kJ mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Potassium phosphide is an inorganic semiconductor compound with the formula K3P. It appears as a green crystalline solid or powder.2 It reacts violently with water (even on contact with air) and is toxic via ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption.3 It has a hexagonal structure.1

Synthesis

Potassium phosphide can be synthesised by a reaction under controlled conditions starting from the two elements. Simply fusing potassium and phosphorus does not yield pure K3P:4

12 K + P4 → 4 K3P

Applications

Potassium phosphide is used in high power, high frequency applications and also in laser diodes.2

References

References

  1. Sangster, James M. (2010-02-01). "K-P (Potassium-Phosphorus) System". Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion. 31 (1): 68–72. Bibcode:2010JPED...31...68S. doi:10.1007/s11669-009-9614-y. ISSN 1863-7345. S2CID 95780373.
  2. Elements, American. "Potassium Phosphide". American Elements. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  3. "POTASSIUM PHOSPHIDE | CAMEO Chemicals | NOAA". cameochemicals.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  4. Gnutzmann, Geert; Wilhelm Dorn, Friedrich; Klemm, Wilhelm (1961). "Das Verhalten der Alkalimetalle zu Halbmetallen. VII. Über einige A3B- und AB2-Verbindungen der schweren Alkalimetalle mit Elementen der V. Gruppe". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie (in German). 309 (3–4): 210–225. doi:10.1002/zaac.19613090308. ISSN 0044-2313.