Selective P–C-Bond Cleavage in P(III)-Triphenylmethyl Compounds

The phosphorus-carbon bond in various P-triphenylmethyl-substituted phosphorus compounds of simple as well as more complex structure can be cleaved selectively by treatment with Lewis acids, halogens (or halogen transfer agents), and hydrogen halides. The course of the reaction can be followed easily by NMR spectroscopy, in certain cases this P–C-bond cleavage can be used as a synthetic principle for phosphorus difluorohalides, F₂PHal (Hal = Cl, Br, F). In the presence of the appropiate structural elements, cleavage of P–P-bonds or rearrangements are observed.