Phosphinite Explained

In organic chemistry, phosphinites are organophosphorus compounds with the formula . They are used as ligands in homogeneous catalysis and coordination chemistry.^[1]

Preparation

Phosphinites are prepared by alcoholysis of organophosphinous chlorides. For example, treatment of chlorodiphenylphosphine with methanol and base gives methyl diphenylphosphinite:

ClPPh₂ + CH₃OH → CH₃OPPh₂ + HCl

Although they are esters of phosphinous acids (R₂POH), phosphinites are not made via such intermediates.

Reactions

Oxidation of phosphinites gives phosphinates:

2 P(OR)R₂ + O₂ → 2 OP(OR)R₂

Phosphinites are ligands, giving derivatives similar to metal phosphine complexes. They are stronger pi-acceptors than typical phosphine ligands.^[2]

See also

• Phosphine - PR₃
• Phosphine oxide - OPR₃
• Phosphonite - P(OR)₂R
• Phosphite - P(OR)₃
• Phosphinate - OP(OR)R₂
• Phosphonate - OP(OR)₂R
• Phosphate - OP(OR)₃

Notes and References

1. Book: D. E. C. Corbridge . Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology . 5th . Elsevier . Amsterdam . 1995 . 0-444-89307-5.
2. Book: 10.1002/9781118299715.ch5. Phosphinite and Phosphonite Ligands. Phosphorus(III) Ligands in Homogeneous Catalysis: Design and Synthesis. 159–232. 2012. Rajanbabu. T. V. Babu. 9781118299715.