Calcium phosphide Calcium phosphide Calcium phosphide (CP) is the inorganic compound with the formula CaP. It is one of several phosphides of calcium, being described as the salt-like material composed of Ca and P. Other, more exotic calcium phosphides have the formula CaP, CaP, CaP, and CaP. CaP has the appearance of red-brown crystalline powder or grey lumps. Its trade name is Photophor for the incendiary use or Polytanol for the use as rodenticide. It may be formed by reaction of the elements, but it is more commonly prepared by carbothermal reduction of calcium phosphate: The structure of the room temperature form
Calcium for most terrestrial applications as it reacts quickly with atmospheric oxygen, its use as such in space has been considered. The chemistry of calcium is that of a typical heavy alkaline earth metal. For example, calcium spontaneously reacts with water more quickly than magnesium and less quickly than strontium to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. It also reacts with the oxygen and nitrogen in the air to form a mixture of calcium oxide and calcium nitride. When finely divided, it spontaneously burns in air to produce the nitride. In bulk, calcium is less reactive: it quickly forms a hydration