Cleavage of Benzyl Phosphonium Salts as Efficient Bypass for the Synthesis of Disulfonated Alkyldiphenylphosphanes Bearing an Oleum-Sensitive Alkyl Group.

A new pathway providing an easy access to disulfonated alkyldiphenylphosphanes bearing an oleum-sensitive alkyl group is described. Disulfonated n-octyl, n-dodecyl, and n-hexadecyl diphenylphosphanes are prepared from trisulfonated benzyldiphenylphosphane and the corresponding alkyl bromide by taking advantage of the easy removal of the benzyl group from the benzylphosphonium salt by LiAlH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]