Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

A Protocol for Safe Lithiation Reactions Using Organolithium Reagents
Published on: November 12, 2016
Air-stable trialkylphosphonium salts: simple, practical, and versatile replacements for air-sensitive
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Trialkylphosphines furnish unusual, sometimes unique, reactivity in a range of transformations. Unfortunately, their utility is compromised by their sensitivity to oxidation. We have examined a simple but powerful strategy for addressing this problem: convert air-sensitive trialkylphosphines into air-stable phosphonium salts via protonation on phosphorus. These robust salts serve as direct replacements for the corresponding phosphines (simple deprotonation under the reaction conditions by a Brønsted base liberates the trialkylphosphine) in a diverse set of applications. [reaction: see text]
More Related Videos
08:46Preparation and Reactivity of a Triphosphenium Bromide Salt: A Convenient and Stable Source of Phosphorus(I)
Published on: November 22, 2016
10:42Preparation of N-(2-alkoxyvinyl)sulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Conversion of Alcohols to Alkyl Halides
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Overview
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...