Eu(PH2)2 is formed, which then decomposes to europium(III) phosphide and phosphine:[6][7]
2Eu(PH2)2 → 2EuP + 2PH3 + H2
Properties
Europium(III) phosphide forms dark crystals which are stable in air and do not dissolve in water. Like sodium chloride, it crystallizes cubically in the space groupFm3m with cell parameter a = 575.5 nm with four formula units per unit cell.[8] Europium(III) phosphide tends to form europium(II) oxide (EuO) in air,[9] and pure EuP shows Van Vleck paramagnetism. The vapor pressure of EuP is 133-266.6 Pa at 1273 K.[10]
^J.K. Howell, L.L. Pytlewski (August 1970). "Thermal decomposition of europium and ytterbium dihydrogen phosphides". Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry Letters. 6 (8): 681–686. doi:10.1016/0020-1650(70)80144-1.
^Giacomo Bruzzone, Assunta Ferro Ruggiero, Giorgio L. Olcese (1964). "Sul comportamento di ittrio, europio e itterbio nei composti MX con i metalloidi del V e VI gruppo": 66–69. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^K. E. Mironov, G. P. Brygalina, V. N. Ikorskii (1974). "Magnetism of europium phosphides": 105–114. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^S. P. Gordienko, K. E. Mironov (1983). "Stability of europium monophosphide during heating in vacuum and its thermodynamic properties" (24): 131–133. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)