Carbon monophosphide is a diatomic chemical with formula CP. It is a heavier analog of the

cyanide radical The cyano radical (or cyanido radical) is a radical with molecular formula CN, sometimes written •CN. The cyano radical was one of the first detected molecules in the interstellar medium, in 1938. Its detection and analysis was influential in ...

(CN). CP and CN are both open-shell species with doublet Π ground electronic states while the ground states of CS and CO are closed-shell. The related anion, CP⁻, is called

cyaphide Cyaphide, P≡C−, is the phosphorus analogue of cyanide. It is not known as a discrete salt, however ''In silico'' measurements reveal that the −1 charge in this ion is located mainly on carbon (0.65), as opposed to phosphorus. Preparation Org ...

and isoelectronic with CS.

Detection in interstellar medium

The simple diatomic carbon monophosphide (CP) was detected in the circumstellar envelope of the star IRC +10216 in 1990. The identification was made by matching 10 rotational lines observed with the IRAM 30m radiotelescope.

References

{{Molecules detected in outer space Inorganic carbon compounds Phosphides