| abstract |
The invention relates to the use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene and its alkyl, aryl, or heteroatom substituted analogs, that act as catalysts in the presence of an alkali metal (Li, K, Na) for the reduction of electron-deficient and electron-rich triaryl phosphines to their corresponding alkali metal diaryl phosphide salts. The process is also useful for the catalysis of triaryl phosphine chalcogen adducts such as the sulfides, oxides, and selenides, diaryl(halo)phosphines, triaryl phosphine-borane adducts, and tetra-aryl bis(phosphines) that can also be reduced to their corresponding alkali metal diaryl phosphide salts. The invention also relates to small molecule PAHs and polymer tethered PAHs naphthenics. |