PBr5
Phosphorus pentabromide · Phosphorus(V) bromide
Phosphorus pentabromide is a stable, semiconducting phosphorus-bromine compound used primarily as a reagent in synthetic organic chemistry.

About Phosphorus pentabromide
Phosphorus pentabromide is a distinct phosphorus halide that exists as a thermodynamically stable phase on the convex hull. Its semiconducting electronic character makes it an interesting subject for structural analysis, supported by a significant body of reported experimental and computational data.
This compound serves as a reactive reagent in synthetic chemistry, particularly in the transformation of organic functional groups. Its stability and well-characterized structural profile allow it to function as a reliable chemical intermediate in various laboratory applications.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for Phosphorus pentabromide, aggregated across 3 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Applications
Where Phosphorus pentabromide is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Phosphorus pentabromide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is PBr5?
Phosphorus pentabromide is a stable, semiconducting phosphorus-bromine compound used primarily as a reagent in synthetic organic chemistry.
What is PBr5 used for?
What is the band gap of PBr5?
Is PBr5 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is PBr5 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of PBr5 are known?
What elements does PBr5 contain?
Where does the data for PBr5 come from?
How It Compares
As a standalone member of the phosphorus halide family in this context, phosphorus pentabromide represents a key reference point for understanding the bonding and structural trends of higher-valency phosphorus compounds.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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