Triphenyl phosphite
Triphenyl phosphite is the organophosphorus compound with the formula P3. It is a colourless viscous liquid.
Preparation
Triphenylphosphite is prepared from phosphorus trichloride and phenol in the presence of a catalytic amount of base:Reactions
Triphenylphosphite is a precursor to trimethylphosphine, it serves as a source of P3+ that is less electrophilic than phosphorus trichloride:Triphenylphosphite is quaternized by methyl iodide:
Coordination complexes
Triphenylphosphite is a common ligand in coordination chemistry. It forms zero-valent complexes of the type M4. The nickel complex can be prepared by displacement of the diene from bis(cyclooctadiene)nickel:Related complexes are homogeneous catalysts for the hydrocyanation of alkenes. It also forms a variety of Fe and Fe complexes such as the dihydride H2Fe4.