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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Preparation and Use of Carbonyl-decorated Carbenes in the Activation of White Phosphorus
Published on: October 3, 2014
Photolytic Reductive Elimination of White Phosphorus from a Mononuclear cyclo-P4 Transition Metal Complex
Kyle A Mandla1, Curtis E Moore1, Arnold L Rheingold1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0358, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Abstract:
Elemental white phosphorus (P4 ) is well recognized as a critical precursor to organophosphorus compounds. However, regulatory constraints stemming from the toxic and pyrophoric nature of white phosphorus have significantly limited its accessibility. Herein is described a new approach to white phosphorus storage and release based on a unique example of photolytic reductive elimination of the tetrahedral P4 molecule from a mononuclear cyclo-P4 molybdenum complex. The latter functions as an air-stable, chemically-deactivated source of white phosphorus. The system features efficient photo-release of white phosphorus using inexpensive violet LED sources. Additionally, high-yield recapture of unspent white phosphorus by the molybdenum center can be achieved by post-photolysis heating at convenient temperatures.
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