The preparation and properties of tertiary phosphines and tertiary phosphine oxides with long alkyl chains

Abstract

A series of tertiary phosphines and tertiary phosphine oxides with straight-chain alkyl groups of between ten and nineteen.carbon atoms have been prepared., The tertiary phosphines are waxy, very air-sensitive solids, whereas the tertiary phosphine oxides are more crystalline, are stable in air, and do not show the deliquescence associated with the lower members of the series with alkyl chains containing between one and seven carbon atoms. The compounds were characterised by microanalysis, i.r., ¹H, and ³¹P n.m.r. Spectra, and mass spectrometry. The trialkylphosphines were found to form readily complexes [ML₂Cl₂] with palladium(II) and platinum(II) and the trialkylphosphine oxides formed complexes with elements, such as nickel(II) and copper(II), in the first transition series.