Molybdenum monophosphide

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

Preparation
Molybdenum monophosphide can be obtained from electrolysis of molten molybdenum hexametaphosphate:
 * 4 Mo(PO3)6 -> 4 MoP + 10 P2O5 + 9 O2

It can also be prepared from heating of a mixture of molybdenum and metaphosphoric acid in a carbon crucible:
 * 2 Mo + 2 HPO3 + 5 C -> 2 MoP + 5 CO + H2O

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:
 * 4 MoP + 11 O2 -> 4 MoO3 + 2 P2O5

Uses
Molybdenum monophosphide can be used as a catalyst.