Chlorodiphenylphosphine is an organophosphorus compound with the formula (C6H5)2PCl, abbreviated Ph2PCl. It is a colourless oily liquid with a pungent odor that is often described as being garlic-like and detectable even in the ppb range. It is useful reagent for introducing the Ph2P group into molecules, which includes many ligands. Like other halophosphines, Ph2PCl is reactive with many nucleophiles such as water and easily oxidized even by air. Synthesis and reactions Chlorodiphenylphosphine is produced on a commercial scale from benzene and phosphorus trichloride (PCl3). Benzene reacts with phosphorus trichloride at extreme temperatures around 600 °C to give dichlorophenylphosphine (PhPCl2) and HCl. Redistribution of PhPCl2 in the gas phase at high temperatures results in chlorodiphenylphosphine. 2PhPCl2 → Ph2PCl + PCl3 Alternatively such compounds are prepared by redistribution reactions starting with triphenylphosphine and phosphorus trichloride. PCl3 + 2PPh3 → 3Ph2PCl Chlorodiphenylphosphine hydrolyzes to give diphenylphosphine oxide. Reduction with sodium affords tetraphenyldiphosphine: 2Ph2PCl + 2Na → [Ph2P]2 + 2NaCl With ammonia and elemental sulfur, it converts to the thiophosphorylamide: Ph2PCl + 2NH3 + S → Ph2P(S)NH2 + NH4Cl Uses Chlorodiphenylphosphine, along with other chlorophosphines, is used in the synthesis of various phosphines. A typical route uses Grignard reagents: Ph2PCl + MgRX → Ph2PR + MgClX The phosphines produced from reactions with Ph2PCl are further developed and used as pesticides (such as EPN), stabilizers for plastics (Sandostab P-EPQ), various halogen compound catalysts, flame retardants (cyclic phosphinocarboxylic anhydride), as well as UV-hardening paint systems (used in dental materials) making Ph2PCl an important intermediate in the industrial world. Precursor to diphenylphosphido derivatives Chlorodiphenylphosphine is used in the synthesis of sodium diphenylphosphide via its reaction with sodium metal in refluxing dioxane. Ph2PCl + 2 Na → Ph2PNa + NaCl Diphenylphosphine can be synthesized in the reaction of Ph2PCl and LiAlH4, the latter usually used in excess. 4 Ph2PCl + LiAlH4 → 4 Ph2PH + LiCl + AlCl3 Both Ph2PNa and Ph2PH are also used in the synthesis of organophosphine ligands. Characterization The quality of chlorodiphenylphosphine is often checked by 31P NMR spectroscopy. References Phosphines Phenyl compounds