Synthesis of precursors to new tripodal phosphine oxide ligands.

A number of precursors of new tripodal ligands was obtained by hydroxyethylation of the starting tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)phosphine oxide, followed by conversion of the resulting tris[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]phosphine oxide to trimesylate. The treatment of the latter with LiBr or NaN3 afforded the corresponding tribromo and triazido derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]