<i>t</i>‐Butyl alcohol‐assisted fission of the P‐P bonds in red phosphorus with lithium in liquid ammonia: A convenient preparative method for dialkylphosphanes

Abstract

Abstract Essentially complete fission of the P‐P bonds in red phosphorus can be effected by adding one equivalent of t ‐butylalcohol to a mixture of red P and lithium in liquid ammonia. The reaction has been applied to synthesize some dialkylphosphanes.