phosphonite
{{Short description|Organic compounds with the formula P(OR)2R}}
{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with phosphinite (formula P(OR)R2).}}
In organic chemistry, phosphonites are organophosphorus compounds with the formula P(OR)2R. They are found in some pesticides and are used as ligands.D. E. C. Corbridge "Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology" 5th Edition Elsevier: Amsterdam 1995. {{ISBN|0-444-89307-5}}.
Preparation
Although they are derivatives of phosphonous acid (RP(OH)2),{{GoldBookRef|title=phosphonous acids|file=P04565}} they are not prepared from such precursors. Phosphonites are prepared by alcoholysis of organophosphinous chlorides. For example, treatment of dichlorophenylphosphine with methanol and base gives dimethyl phenylphosphonite:
:Cl2PPh + 2 CH3OH → (CH3O)2PPh + 2 HCl
==Reactions==
Oxidation of phosphonites gives phosphonates:
:2 P(OR)2R + O2 → 2 OP(OR)2R
Phosphonites can function as ligands in homogeneous catalysis.T. V. (Babu) Rajanbabu “Phosphinite and Phosphonite Ligands” in Phosphorus(III) Ligands in Homogeneous Catalysis: Design and Synthesis Paul C. J. Kamer and Piet W. N. M. van Leeuwen, Eds., John Wiley & Sons 2012. {{doi|10.1002/9781118299715.ch5}}