Reactions of triarylphosphines, triphenylarsine, and triphenylstibine with thionyl chloride and sulphur dichloride

Abstract

Triarylphosphines react with thionyl chloride by oxygen transfer to give the triarylphosphine oxide and sulphur dichloride. Further reaction with sulphur dichloride gives the triarylphosphine dichloride and triarylphosphine sulphide and/or sulphur, depending on the phosphine and the mole ratio. Triphenylarsine and triphenylstibine react with thionyl chloride by chlorine transfer to give the dichloride, sulphur dioxide, and sulphur, or with sulphur dichloride to give the dichloride and sulphur. Further reaction of triphenylarsine (but not triphenylstibine) with sulphur gives triphenylarsine sulphide.