The decomposition of alpha-aminophosphine oxides to phosphonic acid derivatives (PIII).

Aminophosphine oxides and aminophosphonates are, in general, very stable compounds. However, following phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage in aqueous acidic media these compounds sometimes decompose to phosphonic acids derivatives (P(III)). Despite some controversy in the literature, careful analysis supported by theoretical studies leads to the conclusion that decomposition to P(III) derivatives proceeds via an elimination reaction.