A shortcut to tris[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phosphine oxide and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylphosphinic acid via reaction of elemental phosphorus with 4-tert-butoxystyrene

摘要

Red phosphorus reacts with 4-tert-butoxystyrene in KOH/DMSO system to afford (depending on the reaction conditions) tris(4-tert-butoxyphenylethyl) phosphine oxide (48% yield) and/or 4-tert-butoxyphenylethylphosphinic acid (30% yield). The treatment of these products with aqueous HCl (45 °C, 5 min) quantitatively delivers tris[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phosphine oxide and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylphosphinic acid.