Pentaphosphaferrocene-mediated synthesis of asymmetric organo-phosphines starting from white phosphorus

Asymmetrically substituted phosphine ligands play a decisive role in catalysis, but their synthesis is rather challenging and often involves hazardous chemicals such as PCl3 or PH3. Here, the authors report the one-pot preparation of asymmetric phosphines from white phosphorus via a pentaphosphaferrocene based modular system, in which the transition metal complex can be reused.