A convenient approach for a controlled and high-yield synthesis of copper-deficient Cu 3−x P (0.1 < x < 0.7) is reported that makes use of ionic liquids with highly nucleophilic "naked" halide anions. Halide anions drastically enhance the reactivity of the white phosphorus precursor and kinetically disfavour the formation of phosphorus-rich side products. Cu 3−x P shows a high degree of tolerance for cation vacancies without mayor structural reorganisation, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Measurements of the electric properties reveal that Cu 3−x P is a bad metallic p-type conductor. The resistivity is composition-dependent and displays a distinct anomaly from a phase transition, leading to the discovery and structural characterisation of two hitherto unknown low temperature polymorphs. Electrochemical evaluation of copper-deficient Cu 3−x P as anode material for lithium ion batteries reveals a drastic change in the cycling mechanism leading to an increase of the initial capacities by about 70 %. This work gives a comprehensive insight into the chemical and structural features of copper-deficient Cu 3−x P and should lead to an improved understanding of its properties, not only for battery applications.