Method of converting red phosphorous to soluble polyphosphides using solution chemistry

A method for producing polyphosphide anions soluble in organic solvents, comprising:

• providing red phosphorus or a composition of black phosphorus and red phosphorus;
• providing an alkali metal alkoxy compound or alkali metal alkyl thiolate compound suspended in an organic solvent;
• wherein the alkali metal is sodium or potassium;
• allowing the red phosphorus and alkali metal or alkali metal compound to react, wherein the reaction uses reflux or an in-line packed column method;
• where the in-line packed column method comprises:
• providing a packing column;
• loading the packing column with the red phosphorus or composition of black phosphorus and red phosphorus in an inert environment;
• purging the packing column with an inert gas;
• setting a pressure regulator on the packing column to at least 1 bar;
• heating the packing column to a preselected temperature, where the preselected temperature is at least the boiling point of the alkali metal alkoxy compound or alkali metal alkyl thiolate;
• suspending the alkali metal alkoxy compound or alkali metal alkyl thiolate compound in the organic solvent;
• flowing the organic solvent through the packing column;
• flowing the alkali metal alkoxy compound or alkali metal alkyl thiolate compound in the organic solvent through the packing column;
• and
• forming a compound containing the alkali metal and polyphosphide anions;
• wherein the organic solvent is evaporated off the compound containing the alkali metal and polyphosphide anions;
• wherein the reflux is performed for about 15 minutes to about 2 hours.