Selenophosphate

A selenophosphate is a chemical compound containing phosphate anions substituted with selenium. Over 7000 compounds are known with a bond between selenium and phosphorus. Compared to phosphorus-sulfur compounds selenophosphates are less thermally stable, and more easily destroyed by water. However they are more stable than tellurophosphates which have an even weaker phosphorus-tellurium bond.[1] Selenophosphates have an oxidation number for phosphorus of +5. But in many there are bonds between phosphorus atoms, reducing the oxidation state to +4, Some may be termed selenophosphites.[2]


Different structural anions include hexaselenohypodiphosphate [P2Se6]4− and [P6Se12]4− with decalin structure and [P4Se2]2− with dicyclobutane structure.[1]

Selenophosphates are coloured, often orange. They are semiconductors.

The first selenodiphosphate was discovered in 1973 by H. Hahn.[3]

Selenophosphate compounds may have some or all of the selenium replaced by sulfur.[4]

  1. ^ a b Devillanova, Francesco A.; Mont, Wolf-Walther Du (2013). "Chalcogen-Phosphorus (and Heavier Congener) Compounds". Handbook of Chalcogen Chemistry: New Perspectives in Sulfur, Selenium and Tellurium. Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 238. ISBN 978-1-84973-623-7.
  2. ^ Sanna, Michela; Ng, Siowwoon; Pumera, Martin (August 2021). "Layered transition metal selenophosphites for visible light photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen". Electrochemistry Communications. 129: 107077. doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2021.107077. hdl:11012/203046.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :51 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Krauskopf, Thorben; Pompe, Constantin; Kraft, Marvin A.; Zeier, Wolfgang G. (24 October 2017). "Influence of Lattice Dynamics on Na + Transport in the Solid Electrolyte Na 3 PS 4– x Se x". Chemistry of Materials. 29 (20): 8859–8869. doi:10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b03474.