[en] The phosphide telluride Ti₂PTe₂ can be synthesised from the elements or from oxides in a thermite type reaction. Both ways have been optimised by consideration of the thermodynamic behaviour of the compound. Hence, the investigation of phase equilibria in the ternary system Ti/P/Te and of the thermal decomposition of Ti₂PTe₂ was necessary. This investigation was performed by using different experimental approaches as total pressure measurements, thermal analysis and mass spectrometry. The results were supported and further analysed by thermodynamic modelling of the ternary system. It was shown that Ti₂PTe_2(s) decomposes to Ti₂P_(s) and Te_2(g) in six consecutive steps. The growth of single crystals of Ti₂PTe₂ is thermodynamically described as a chemical vapour transport with TiCl_4(g) acting as the transport agent. - Graphical abstract: Oxygen partial pressure and electrochemical potential above the oxides of titanium, tellurium and phosphorus calculated at 1000 K, marked: level of equalisation of oxygen partial pressure