Reductive cleavage of the halogen-phosphorus and sulfur-phosphorus bonds with alkali metals

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/hc.10040

The reduction of thiophosphorus acid chlorides with alkali metals (Na, K) in liq. NH₃/THF solution, potassium anthracenide, and potassium napththalenide was investigated. It was found that these types of phosphorus compounds easily undergo reduction to 〉P-S^- anions. It was also demonstrated that 〉P-O^- and 〉P-S^- anions as well very efficiently undergo sulfurization with elementary sulfur in liquid ammonia to yield 〉P(O)S^- and 〉P(S)S^- anions, respectively.