THE SYNTHESIS OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS DIRECTLY FROM THE ELEMENT

Abstract

Abstract Organophosphorus compounds were first introduced commercially as plasticizers in the 1920′s and in succeeding years their use as oil and petrol additives, anti-oxidants, stabilizers for plastics, flame retardants and flotation agents has developed rapidly.1 All organophosphorus compounds are made from elemental phosphorus, which is converted to phosphine, phosphorus tri and pentachlorides.2 phosphorus pentoxide or pentasulphide. There are obvious advantages in preparing organophosphorus compounds directly from the element, and in recent years considerable effort has been directed in this area.3–7