Phosphinite

{{Short description|Organic compounds of the formula P(OR)R2}} {{Hatnote|Not to be confused with phosphonite (formula P(OR)₂R) .}} [[File:Generic-phosphinite-2D.svg|thumb|right|150px|Structural formula of a generic phosphinite, R represents a side chain.]] [[File:Methyl-diphenylphosphinite-2D-skeletal.png|thumb|right|150px|Skeletal formula of methyl diphenylphosphinite]]

In organic chemistry, '''phosphinites''' are organophosphorus compounds with the formula {{chem2|P(OR)R2}}. They are used as ligands in homogeneous catalysis and coordination chemistry.<ref>{{cite book | author = D. E. C. Corbridge | title = Phosphorus: An Outline of its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology | edition = 5th | publisher = Elsevier | location = Amsterdam | date = 1995 | isbn = 0-444-89307-5}}</ref>

==Preparation== Phosphinites are prepared by alcoholysis of organophosphinous chlorides. For example, treatment of chlorodiphenylphosphine with methanol and base gives methyl diphenylphosphinite:

:ClPPh₂ + CH₃OH → CH₃OPPh₂ + HCl

Although they are esters of phosphinous acids (R₂POH), phosphinites are not made via such intermediates.

==Reactions== Oxidation of phosphinites gives phosphinates:

:2 P(OR)R₂ + O₂ → 2 OP(OR)R₂

Phosphinites are ligands, giving derivatives similar to metal phosphine complexes. They are stronger pi-acceptors than typical phosphine ligands.<ref>{{cite book | doi = 10.1002/9781118299715.ch5| chapter = Phosphinite and Phosphonite Ligands| title = Phosphorus(III) Ligands in Homogeneous Catalysis: Design and Synthesis| pages = 159–232| year = 2012| last1 = Rajanbabu| first1 = T. V. Babu| isbn = 9781118299715}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

==See also== *Phosphine - PR₃ *Phosphine oxide - OPR₃ *Phosphonite - P(OR)₂R *Phosphite - P(OR)₃ *Phosphinate - OP(OR)R₂ *Phosphonate - OP(OR)₂R *Phosphate - OP(OR)₃

{{Organophosphorus}}

Category:Functional groups Category:Phosphinites