This paper demonstrates the use of phosphinecarboxamide as a facile phosphorus precursor, which can be used alongside zinc acetate for the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of adherent and crystalline zinc phosphide films. Thin films of Zn3P2 have a number of potential applications and phosphinecarboxamide is a safer and more efficient precursor than the highly toxic, corrosive and flammable phosphine used in previous CVD syntheses.