The chemistry of phosphole derivatives

Synthetic approaches to, and the chemistry of, phospholes, benzophospholes and dibenzophospholes are reviewed and particular attention is paid to the possible aromatic character of the phosphole ring. Systems containing the 2H- and 3H-phosph(V)ole nucleus are surveyed as are phosphole derivatives containing pentacovalent and six-coordinate phosphorus. Stereochemical considerations in the more complex phosphole derivatives are discussed.