What is "dichlorophenylphosphine"

n. An organophosphorus compound commonly used in the synthesis of elaborated phosphine ligands for coordination chemistry.

Dichlorophenylphosphine is an organophosphorus compound with the formula CHPCl. This colourless viscous liquid is commonly used in the synthesis of phosphine ligands.

Dichlorophenylphosphine is commercially available. It may be prepared by an electrophilic substitution of benzene by phosphorus trichloride, catalyzed by aluminium chloride. The compound is an intermediate for the synthesis of other chemicals for instance dimethylphenylphosphine:

CHPCl + 2 CHMgI → CHP(CH) + 2 MgICl

Dichlorophenylphosphine undergoes the McCormack reaction upon treatment with dienes to give phospholes.