Phosphite-borane compounds, and method of making and using the same

A process for the preparation of a dialkylphosphite-borane compound comprising hydrolyzing a trialkylphosphite-borane compound of the formula:

• ##STR7## wherein each R.sub.1 is independently selected from H;
• C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl;
• alkylaryl;
• aralkyl;
• aryl;
• nucleosides;
• monovalent metal ions;
• and guaternary ammonium cations of the formula (R.sub.4).sub.4 N.sup.+, wherein each R.sub.4 is independently selected from H and C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl;
• R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl;
• R.sub.3 is selected from CNCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 +BF.sub.4 --, COOH, COOR.sub.5, carboxyl salts, and CONHR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, alkylaryl, aralkyl, or aryl, with the proviso that if at least one of the R.sub.1 substituents is H, nucleoside, monovalent metal ion, or guaternary ammonium ion, (R.sub.4).sub.4 N+, wherein R.sub.4 is as described above, then R.sub.3 may also be CN;
• in the presence of base comprising sodium hydroxide to form a sodium salt of a corresponding dialkylphosphite-borane derivative, and acidifying the dialkylphosphite-borane compound sodium salt to form a corresponding dialkylphosphite-borane compound.