Molybdenum diphosphide

Molybdenum diphosphide is a binary inorganic compound of molybdenum metal and phosphorus with the chemical formula MoP2.

Synthesis
Molybdenum diphosphide can be obtained by heating molybdenum with red phosphorus in a closed tube at 550 °C:
 * Mo + 2P -> MoP2

Properties
Molybdenum diphosphide forms black crystals of orthorhombic crystal system with space group A21am. It is insoluble in water. It decomposes when heated, releasing molybdenum monophosphide and white phosphorus:
 * 4MoP2 -> 4MoP + P4

Uses
Molybdenum diphosphide can be used as a catalyst.