Interaction between phosphorus pentafluoride and phosphorus trifluoride and trialkyl phosphites

Abstract

Phosphorus pentafluoride and trimethyl phosphite give a 1 : 1 adduct which breaks down to tetrafluoro(methoxy)-phosphorane and fluoro(dimethoxy)phosphine. The products react further to give (MeO)₃PMePF₆, P(O)F₂OMe, MeP(O)F₂, PF₂OMe, and P(F)(OMe)₂. Phosphorus pentafluoride reacts with triethyl phosphite to give a similar range of products. Phosphorus trifluoride reacts with trimethyl phosphite to give PF₂OMe, MeP(O)(F)OMe, MeP(O)(OMe)₂, and MeP(O)F₂. Possible mechanisms are discussed for these reactions.