What is "phosphine oxide"

n. (context chemistry English) any compound having the general formula R₃P=O <=> R₃P⁺O^-

Phosphine oxides are phosphorus compounds with the formula OPX. When X = alkyl or aryl, these are organophosphine oxides. Triphenylphosphine oxide is an example. An inorganic phosphine oxide is phosphoryl chloride (POCl). Such compounds are thermally stable, decomposing only above 450 °C. Phosphoryl refers to a functional group drawn with a phosphorus-oxygen double bond.