Methyldiphenylphosphine Explained

Methyldiphenylphosphine is the organophosphine with the formula CH₃(C₆H₅)₂P, often abbreviated PMePh₂. It is a colorless, viscous liquid. It is a member of series (CH₃)_3-n(C₆H₅)₂P that also includes n = 0, n = 1, and n = 3 that are often employed as ligands in metal phosphine complexes.

Methyldiphenylphosphine is prepared by reaction of chlorodiphenylphosphine with methyl Grignard reagent:

Cl(C₆H₅)₂P + CH₃MgBr → CH₃(C₆H₅)₂P + MgBrCl

Selected derivatives:

• The phosphine oxide OPMePh₂, prepared by treatment with hydrogen peroxide.^[1]
• The coordination complex MoH₄(PMePh₂)₄, prepared by treatment of MoCl₄(PMePh₂)₂ with sodium borohydride in the presence of excess ligand.^[2]
• The coordination complex CoCl₂(PMePh₂)₂, prepared by treating cobalt(II) chloride with the phosphine.^[3]
• The phosphine-borane H₃BPMePh₂ prepared by treating the phosphine with borane.^[4]

References

1. Book: 10.1002/9780470132487.ch50. Methyldiphenylphosphine Oxide and Dimethylphenylphosphine Oxide. Inorganic Syntheses. 1977. Denniston. Michael L.. Martin. Donald R.. 183–185. 9780470132487. 17.
2. Book: 10.1002/9780470132463.ch12. Tetrahydridotetrakis(methyldiphenylphosphine)molybdenum(IV). Inorganic Syntheses. 1974. Pennella. Filippo. Inorganic Syntheses. 42–44. 15. 9780470132463.
3. Book: 10.1002/9780470132470.ch8. Bis(Methyldiphenylphosphine)Dichloro-Nitrosylcobalt. Inorganic Syntheses. 1976. Dolcetti . G.. Ghedim. M.. Reed. C. A.. Inorganic Syntheses. 29–32. 16. 9780470132470.
4. Book: 10.1002/9780470132463.ch29. Methyldiphenylphosphine-Borane and Dimethylphenylphosphine-Borane. Inorganic Syntheses. 1974. Mathur. M. A.. Myers. W. H.. Sisler. H. H.. Ryschkewitsch. G. E.. Inorganic Syntheses. 128–133. 15. 9780470132463.