Synthesis and characterization of alkyltris(2-pyridyl)phosphonium salts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1080/10426500500328871

Alkytris(2-pyridyl)phosphonium salts [(2-Py)₃PR]X 1 [1a, R = Et, X = Br; 1b, R = Pr, X = Br; 1c, R = Bu, X = Br; 1d, R = CH₂Ph, X = Br; 1e, R = CH₂Ph, X = Cl] were synthesised from (2-Py)₃P and an excess of RCl. 1c and 1e were found to rapidly decompose in hot acetone to 2,2′-bipyridinium(+1) bromide 2 and (2-Py)P(O)(CH₂Ph)C(OH) Me₂ 3, respectively. A reaction mechanism for both products is proposed. All compounds were fully characterized, including X-ray crystallography for 1a and 3 with 1a being the first representative of this class of compounds characterized by this technique. Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.