Preparation of a phosphorus complex

Abstract

An improved process for preparing a phosphorus complex of the formula: RP.sym.Cl.sub.3.P.crclbar.Cl.sub.6 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: aryl; substituted aryl, wherein the substituent can comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of nitro, chloro, fluoro, alkyl, fluoro-alkyl, alkoxy and mixtures thereof; alkyl and substituted alkyl by the reaction of phosphorus pentachloride and a phosphonic dichloride of the formula: RPOCl.sub.2 wherein R is defined as above, wherein the improvement comprises: reacting the phosphorus pentachloride and the phsophonic dichloride in the presence of an inert solvent capable of co-distilling a phosphorus oxychloride reaction product, for example, chlorobenzene, and co-distilling said phosphorus oxychloride reaction product during the reaction of the phosphorus pentachloride and the phosphonic dichloride. The inert solvent can boil at a temperature ranging from about 120.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and the reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 75.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C. A preferred phosphorus complex prepared by this improved reaction scheme is phenyltrichlorophosphonium hexachlorophosphate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.