Preparation of alkane phosphonic and phosphinic acid aryl esters

Abstract

A process for the preparation of an alkane phosphonic acid diaryl ester or an alkane phosphinic acid aryl ester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or alkenyl group, R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or alkenyl group or a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl or aryloxy group, R.sup.3 is C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl group, k is 0 or 1, p is 1 or 2, k+p=2, plus an alkane phosphonic acid diaryl ester, alkane phosphinic acid aryl ester or phosphine oxide of the formula ##STR2## R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl group or a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy group, R.sup.6 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or alkenyl group, n and m each is 0, 1 or 2, and n+m=2, comprising reacting an aryloxy compound of trivalent phosphorus of the formula ##STR3## (a) with an alkyl phosphite or alkyl phosphonite of the formula ##STR4## in the presence of an Arbusow catalyst, or (b) a rearrangement product formed in the presence of an Arbusow catalyst and of the formula ##STR5##

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.