Phosphorus mononitride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formulaPN. Containing only phosphorus and nitrogen, this material is classified as a binary nitride. From the Lewis structure perspective, it can be represented with a P-N triple bond with a lone pair on each atom. It is isoelectronic with N2, CO, P2, CS and SiO.
The compound is highly unstable in standard conditions, tending to rapidly self polymerize. It can be isolated within argon and krypton matrices at 10 K (−263.1 °C).[1] Due to its instability, documentation of reactions with other molecules is limited.[2] Most of its reactivity has thus far been probed and studied at transition metal centers. [3][4]
Phosphorus mononitride was the first identified phosphorus compound in the interstellar medium[5] and is even thought to be an important molecule in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.[6][7]