Search

Phosphorus compounds are ubiquitous in the chemical sciences, finding applications throughout industry and academia. Of particular interest to synthetic chemists are organophosphorus compounds, which contain P-C bonds. However, state-of-the-art processes for the synthesis of these important materials rely on an inefficient, stepwise methodology involving initial oxidation of white phosphorus (P 4 ) with hazardous chlorine gas and the subsequent displacement of chloride ions. Catalytic P 4 organofunctionalisation reactions have remained elusive, as they require multiple P-P bond breaking and P-C bond formation events to break down the P 4 core, all of which must occur in a controlled manner. Herein, we describe an efficient transition metal-catalyzed process capable of forming P-C bonds from P 4 . Using blue light photocatalysis, this method directly affords valuable triarylphosphines and tetraarylphosphonium salts in a single reaction step., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.