Bis(diethylamino)chlorophosphine is an organophosphorus compound with the formula (Et2N)2PCl (Et = ethyl). This colorless liquid serves as a masked source of PCl2+.
Synthesis and reactions The compound is prepared by treatment of phosphorus trichloride with diethylamine: 4 Et2NH + PCl3 → (Et2N)2PCl + 2 Et2NH2Cl Illustrative of its utility is the synthesis of 1,2-bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene. The synthesis involves sequential lithiation of 1,2-dibromobenzene followed by treatment with (Et2N)2PCl: C6H4Br2 + BuLi → C6H4(Br)Li + BuBr C6H4(Br)Li + (Et2N)2PCl → C6H4(Br)(P(NEt2)2) + LiCl C6H4(Br)(P(NEt2)2) + BuLi → C6H4(Li)(P(NEt2)2) + BuBr C6H4(Li)(P(NEt2)2) + (Et2N)2PCl → C6H4[P(NEt2)2]2 + LiCl
Finally, the amino substituents are removed using hydrogen chloride: C6H4[P(NEt2)2]2 + 8 HCl → C6H4(PCl2)2 + 4 Et2NH2Cl
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