Activation and transformation of white phosphorus by palladium(ii) complexes

Abstract

A reaction of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dibromide with white phosphorus in the presence of NaBPh4 selectively gives phosphorous acid H3PO3. The mechanism of the formation involves coordination of a white phosphorus molecule, ligand exchange, and hydrolysis of the coordinated P4 molecule in the coordination sphere of palladium. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.