Preparation of phosphorus-containing compounds useful in the preparation of biphosphine ligands

Abstract

This invention relates to processes for making phosphorus compounds R2P—X—PR2, R2P-M, R2P-L and R3P, and the novel cation R2P+(L)-X—P+(L)R2, where R represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X represents a bridging group, L represents a leaving group and M represents an alkali metal atom. The invention relates further to a process for making a compound R2P-L from a compound R—H via a new process for making the compound R—Li followed by its reaction with a compound Hal2P-L. The compound R2P—X—PR2 is a ligand suitable for making catalysts for copolymerizing carbon monoxide and a olefinically unsaturated compound.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.