THE P₄MOLECULE AND P₄H⁺ION

Abstract

Abstract Experimental findings as well as quantum chemical calculations indicate that the P4 molecule has a remarkably low nucleophilicity. The P4H+ ion is predicted to have a ‘proton at apex’ configuration whereas a proton in the centre seems to be metastable. The influence of d orbitals on the stability of P4 against 2 P2 and 1/2 P8, the photoelectron spectrum, and the valence electron density is discussed.