Oxidation of trivalent phosphorus compounds by disulphides
Abstract
When methanol is used as solvent for the reaction between trivalent phosphorus compounds (Ph2POMe, (MeO)3P, and Ph3P) and disulphides (RS·SR), oxidised phosphorus products which do not contain sulphur are obtained when the reaction proceeds by an ionic mechanism. It is suggested that these products are formed by methanolysis of the intermediate phosphonium ions [Ph2(MeO)·PSR, (MeO)3PSR, and Ph3PSR]. The oxidation of triphenylphosphine by thiyl radicals is not affected by the use of alcohols as solvents.