Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Li3P Powder

NMR spectra of lithium phosphide were obtained. The coupling constant for site 1 is 68.5 ± 3.0 kc/sec and for site 2 it is 16.0 kc/sec (upper limit). Asymmetry parameters are zero. Measured coupling constants are inconsistent with a pure ionic or a pure covalent model but are consistent with both Suchet's model and the Z2 = + 1 model, implying a degree of covalent bonding. Temperature studies show abrupt linewidth narrowing between roughly − 60 and 0°C. The narrowing is attributed to diffusion of the lithium ions.