Copper Catalysis in the Methylenation of Arsenic Trichloride and Arsenic Tribromide

Abstract

Dramatic increases in yields of methylene-insertion products in the reactions of diazomethane with arsenic trichloride and arsenic tribromide were achieved through the use of copper catalysis. Mono-and bis-insertion products, XCH₂AsX₂ and (XCH₂)₂AsX (X = C1 or Br), but no tris-halomethyl arsines were obtained. The success of the procedure depends upon the use of ether solvent reclaimed from previous reactions.