Phosphorus mononitride

Phosphorus mononitride is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> <a href="/facts/Phosphorus/27xCeIqs">P</a><a href="/facts/Nitride/9vkrCbJ4">N</a>. Containing only phosphorus and nitrogen, this material is classified as a <a href="/facts/Binary_compound/pQ7zq0Cv">binary</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Nitrogen/Nf1QpGDz">N2</a>, <a href="/facts/Carbon_monoxide/CKuLtEMJ">CO</a>, <a href="/facts/Diphosphorus/crRKYqB9">P2</a>, <a href="/facts/Carbon_monosulfide/NmkhFybM">CS</a> and <a href="/facts/SiO/Nxr2Q9om">SiO</a>.
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). Due to its instability, documentation of reactions with other molecules is limited. Most of its reactivity has thus far been probed and studied at transition metal centers. 
Phosphorus mononitride was the first identified <a href="/facts/Phosphorus/27xCeIqs">phosphorus</a> compound in the interstellar medium and is even thought to be an important molecule in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.

Phosphorus mononitride open-in-new

Phosphorus mononitride