Reaction of oxophosphoranesulphenyl chlorides with phosphorus trichloride

The reaction of acyclic oxophosphoranesulphenyl chlorides, with phosphorus trichloride has been found to give thiophosphoryl chlorides, and phosphoryl oxychloride—the products of the exclusive deoxygenation of sulphenyl chloride. Optically active phosphonochloridothionates and phosphorochloridothionates in a high state of optical purity have been obtained with inversion of configuration from optically active sulphenyl chlorides and phosphorus trichloride. It has been shown, however, that cyclic oxophosphoranesulphenyl chlorides undergo simultaneous desulphurisation and deoxygenation when treated with phosphorus trichloride. Using cis- and trans-isomers of 2-chlorothio-4-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-one it has been demonstrated that deoxygenation is accompanied by inversion, whereas desulphurisation occurs with retention at phosphorus. The mechanism of the title reaction is discussed.