Reaction of Red Phosphorus with Allylbenzene in Superbasic System KOH-DMSO

Abstract

Red phosphorus reacts with allylbenzene in the superbase system KOH-DMSO (130°C, 3 h, Ar) to give a mixture of bis(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)phosphane (1), bis(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)phosphane oxide (2), and 1-methyl-2-phenylethylphosphinic acid (3). Secondary phosphane oxide 2 and phosphinic acid 3 have been isolated from this mixture in 35% and 32% yield, respectively. Microwave activation of the reaction (200 W, 30 min) affords secondary phosphane 1 as the main product in 48% yield.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Allylbenzene
• microwave irradiation
• phosphinic acid
• red phosphorus
• secondary phosphane
• secondary phosphane oxide
• superbase system

Acknowledgments

Financial support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant no. 08-03-00251) is gratefully acknowledged.