Diphosphane

Diphosphane is an inorganic phosphorus hydride with formula P₂H₄. Its two phosphorus atoms share a single bond, and each is bonded to two hydrogen atoms.

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Phosphorus–phosphorus bond: A covalent bond between two phosphorus atoms. This single bond joins the two phosphorus centers in diphosphane.
Phosphine decomposition: The breakdown of phosphine into other phosphorus-containing products. Diphosphane can form among products when phosphine decomposes, depending on conditions.
Diphosphine: A term used for compounds containing a P–P bond and two phosphorus-bound substituents; it can also denote P₂H₄. The name is used inconsistently: diphosphine may mean diphosphane or substituted P–P compounds.
Calcium phosphide: An ionic compound of calcium and phosphorus with approximate formula Ca₃P₂. Hydrolysis of metal phosphides can produce phosphine contaminated with diphosphane.
Phosphine: A phosphorus hydride with formula PH₃, also called phosphane. Replacing one P–H bond on each phosphine molecule with a P–P bond yields P₂H₄ overall.
Phosphorus chemistry: The chemistry of phosphorus and its compounds. Diphosphane is studied within phosphorus chemistry as a reactive, low-valent hydride.
Arsine: A hydride of arsenic with formula AsH₃. Arsine is a heavier group-15 hydride counterpart to phosphine, rather than a P–P-linked hydride.
Hydrolysis: A chemical reaction in which water breaks bonds in a substance. Hydrolysis of phosphide materials is one route by which diphosphane-containing mixtures arise.
Phosphorus oxidation state: The formal charge assigned to phosphorus in a compound by oxidation-state rules. Assigning oxidation states clarifies the formal redox changes in diphosphane reactions.
Phosphorus(I) compounds: Compounds in which phosphorus has formal oxidation state +1. Diphosphane is a molecular example of phosphorus in the +1 oxidation state.