Selenophosphoric

Selenophosphoric is a chemical descriptor used to refer to compounds that contain both selenium and phosphorus, typically through a direct P–Se bond or through phosphorus-containing frameworks bearing selenium. The term is not limited to a single well-defined substance but denotes a class of related inorganic and organoselenium species in which selenium is linked to phosphorus chemistry. The naming mirrors related terms such as phosphoric and phosphorothioate, highlighting the substitution or addition of selenium to phosphorus-containing systems.

In inorganic chemistry, selenophosphates describe species that feature Se–P bonds within an oxyanion or salt framework. These compounds may arise from reactions involving selenium‑containing reagents and phosphorylating agents and can exhibit a range of oxidation states for both elements. The precise structures and stabilities of such species depend on counterions, substituents, and synthetic conditions.

In organoselenium chemistry, selenophosphoric motifs appear in molecules where organic groups are bonded to phosphorus with selenium incorporated into the same molecular framework. These compounds are studied for their distinctive electronic and stereochemical properties and for potential roles as ligands, catalysts, or biologically relevant mimics of phosphate-containing units.

Synthesis and reactivity of selenophosphoric compounds often involve forming P–Se bonds through phosphorylation of selenium nucleophiles or oxidation of phosphoranyl precursors. Reactivity can include nucleophilic substitution at phosphorus, oxidation to selenoxides, and coordination to metal centers.

Selenophosphoric chemistry is an active area of inorganic and organoselenium research with potential applications in catalysis, materials science, and biochemical modeling. Caution is advised due to the toxicity associated with many selenium compounds. See also: selenophosphate, organoselenium, phosphorothioate, selenoxide.