Experiments on the generation of 2-coordinate phosphoryl species by fragmentation of 7-phosphanorbornene and 3-phospholene derivatives

Heating of a sample of a 7-phosphanorborene derivative at 300 degrees centigrade produced 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl phosphenite (ArOP double bond O). Phosphenite was not discharged following irradiation of 7-phosphanorbornence in 1,2-dichloroethane at 254 nanometers, but fragmentation produced H-phosphonate (ArOPH(O)OR) in the presence of alcohol. A 5-coordinate adduct of 7-phosphanorbornene and alcohol was observed as the class subjected to fragmentation.