Trimethyl phosphite
Trimethyl phosphite is an organophosphorus compound with the formula P3, often abbreviated P3. It is a colorless liquid with a highly pungent odor. It is used as a ligand in organometallic chemistry and as a reagent in organic synthesis. The molecule features a pyramidal phosphorus center bound to three methoxy groups.Synthesis and reactions
Trimethyl phosphite is prepared from phosphorus trichloride:
It is susceptible to oxidation to trimethyl phosphate.
It reacts with a catalytic amount of methyl iodide in the Arbuzov reaction to give dimethyl methylphosphonate:
As a ligand, trimethyl phosphite has a smaller cone angle and better acceptor properties relative to trimethylphosphine. A representative derivative is the colorless tetrahedral complex Ni4. The tridentate ligand called the Kläui ligand is derived from trimethyl phosphite. The formation of this ligand illustrates the susceptibility of trimethyl phosphite to the Arbuzov reaction.
Trimethyl phosphite is also used as a mild desulfurization reagent in organic synthesis, for example in the preparation of derivatives of tetrathiafulvalene.Toxicity
The LD50 is 1600–2890 mg/kg.
