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Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Preparation and Reactivity of a Triphosphenium Bromide Salt: A Convenient and Stable Source of PhosphorusI
Published on: November 22, 2016
Hydrophosphination using [GeCl{N(SiMe3)2}3] as a pre-catalyst.
A N Barrett1, H J Sanderson1, M F Mahon1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. r.l.webster@bath.ac.uk.
Researchers report the first germanium-catalyzed hydrophosphination reaction. This novel method efficiently produces anti-Markovnikov products from diphenylphosphine and unsaturated compounds at room temperature.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Germanium catalysis is underexplored, with limited examples in organic transformations.
- Existing germanium-catalyzed reactions primarily include polymerization and hydroboration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the first germanium-catalyzed hydrophosphination reaction.
- To explore the utility of germanium pre-catalysts in novel bond-forming reactions.
Main Methods:
- Reaction of diphenylphosphine with styrenes or internal alkynes.
- Utilizing a germanium pre-catalyst under mild conditions.
- Characterization of the resulting anti-Markovnikov products.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of the first hydrophosphination catalyzed by germanium.
- Achieved anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity in the addition of diphenylphosphine.
- The reaction proceeds efficiently at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Germanium pre-catalysts can effectively mediate hydrophosphination reactions.
- This work expands the scope of germanium-catalyzed organic transformations.
- The developed method offers a new route to anti-Markovnikov functionalized molecules.
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