:Phosphinite

{{Short description|Organic compounds of the formula P(OR)R2}}

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with phosphonite (formula P(OR)2R) .}}

File:Generic-phosphinite-2D.svg of a generic phosphinite, R represents a side chain.]]

File:Methyl-diphenylphosphinite-2D-skeletal.png of methyl diphenylphosphinite]]

In organic chemistry, phosphinites are organophosphorus compounds with the formula {{chem2|P(OR)R2}}. They are used as ligands in homogeneous catalysis and coordination chemistry.{{cite book | author = D. E. C. Corbridge | title = Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology | edition = 5th | publisher = Elsevier | location = Amsterdam | date = 1995 | isbn = 0-444-89307-5}}

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.{{cite book | doi = 10.1002/9781118299715.ch5| chapter = Phosphinite and Phosphonite Ligands| title = Phosphorus(III) Ligands in Homogeneous Catalysis: Design and Synthesis| pages = 159–232| year = 2012| last1 = Rajanbabu| first1 = T. V. Babu| isbn = 9781118299715}}

References

{{Reflist}}

See also

{{Organophosphorus}}

Category:Functional groups