Formylphosphine synthesised in space-like conditions

Formylphosphine has been detected for the first time in the gas phase

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Research suggests that formylphosphine should be detectable in outer space

Scientists have synthesised the hitherto elusive molecule formylphosphine (HCOPH2), which contains the simplest phosphorus peptide bond, in an experiment mimicking the interstellar medium.