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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Preparation and Use of Carbonyl-decorated Carbenes in the Activation of White Phosphorus
Published on: October 3, 2014
Isomerization of Secondary Phosphirane into Terminal Phosphinidene Complexes: An Analogy between Monovalent
Jonathan Wong1, Yongxin Li1, Yanwei Hao2
1Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371 (Singapore).
Abstract:
Secondary phosphirane complexes isomerize above 100 °C to give the corresponding terminal phosphinidene complexes, which can be trapped by alkenes and alkynes. This reaction is a rare instance of the isomerization of a P(III) derivative into a P(I) derivative. It appears to mimic the reductive elimination of alkanes from transition-alkylmetal hydrides.
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