The reactions of tetraphenyldiphosphine with aliphatic carboxylic acids and with aldehydes

Abstract

Tetraphenyldiphosphine and aliphatic carboxylic acids at 180° give 1-hydroxy-1,1-bisdiphenylphosphinylalkanes which slowly rearrange to 1-diphenylphosphinyloxyalkyldiphenylphosphine oxides. The acids Ph·X·CH₂·CO₂H (X = O or S) also give the esters Ph₂P(:O)XPh. Di- and tri-phenylacetic acids give only di- and tri-phenylmethanes with the formation of carbon monoxide.

Tetraphenyldiphosphine and aldehydes at 180° give 1-hydroxyalkyldiphenylphosphines and 1-acyloxyalkyldiphenylphosphines isolated as their oxides. With aromatic aldehydes having a para-substitutent capable of electron supply, these are further reduced to benzyldiphenylphosphine oxides.