Triethylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula P(CH2CH3)3, commonly abbreviated as PEt3. It is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor characteristic of alkylphosphines. The compound is a common ligand in organometallic chemistry, such as in auranofin.
It is a pyramidal molecule with approximate C3v symmetry.[1]
PEt3 is usually prepared using Grignard reagents:
3 CH3CH2MgCl + P(OC6H5)3 → P(CH2CH3)3 + 3 C6H5OMgCl
PEt3 reacts with strong acids to give salts [HPEt<sub>3</sub>]X.[2] This reaction is reversible. Similarly, it is also easily alkylated to give phosphonium derivatives. PEt3 is easily oxidised to the phosphine oxide with oxygen.
Triethylphosphine is a highly basic ligand that forms coordination complexes with many metals. As a ligand, triethylphosphine's Tolman cone angle is 132°.[3] Being a relatively compact phosphine, several can bind to a single transition metal, as illustrated by the existence of Pt(PEt3)4.[4] As a phosphine ligand, triethylphosphine gained acceptance earlier than did the simpler trimethylphosphine, as illustrated by the preparation of the hydride complex trans-PtHCl(PEt3)2.[5]
PEt3 is toxic. It converts to a low toxicity phosphine oxide upon treatment with sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide.