CHEMISTRY OF THE TRIFLUOROMETHYL GROUP: PART IV. DIPHENYLTRIFLUOROMETHYLPHOSPHINE AND COMPLEX FORMATION BY PHENYLTRIFLUOROMETHYLPHOSPHINES

Abstract

Three methods of preparing diphenyltrifluoromethylphosphine are described. The hydrolysis of the phosphine to diphenylphosphinic acid and fluoroform, and the formation of dibromo-and diiodo-phosphoranes from the phosphine are reported. The adducts (C6H5)3P•BF3 and (C6H5)2CF3P•BF3 are described and the latter is found to be the less stable. With platinum (II) chloride, the complexes trans-[(C6H5)2PCF3]2PtCl2 and trans-[C6H5PCF3)2]2PtCl2 are formed. The properties of the BF3 adducts and PtCl2 complexes are interpreted in terms of the electronegativity and size of the trifluoromethyl group.