Copper(I) phosphide

Copper phosphide, Cu₃P, also copper(I) phosphide, cupric phosphide, cuprophosphorus and phosphor copper, is a compound of copper and phosphorus, a phosphide of copper. It has the appearance of yellowish-grey very brittle mass of crystalline structure. It does not react with water. Its CAS number is [12019-57-7].

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Copper phosphide has a role in copper alloys, namely in phosphor bronze. It is a very good deoxidizer of copper.

Copper phosphide can be produced in a reverberatory furnace or in a crucible, eg. by a reaction of red phosphorus with a copper-rich material. It can also be prepared photochemically, by irradiating cupric hypophosphite with ultraviolet radiation. [1]

When subjected to ultraviolet light, copper phosphide shows fluorescence.

A blue-black film of copper phosphide forms on white phosphorus when subjected to a solution of copper salt; wounds containing particles of phosphorus therefore have to be washed with 1% solution of copper sulfate. The particles then can be easily removed, which is helped by their fluorescence. [2] Formation of protective layer of copper phosphide is also used in cases of phosphorus ingestion, when gastric lavage with copper sulfate is employed as part of the cure. [3]