Sonochemistry in the diphosphirane series

Sonication improves substantially the rate of formation of diphosphene 1 with respect to standard procedures. The cyclopropanation of 1 using sonochemical generation of methylene or halogeno-carbenes constitutes an interesting alternative in the diphosphirane synthesis. Furthermore, ultrasonic effects in a chlorinated solvent allow the first substitution of a diphosphirane without ring-opening.