Claims
- 1. In the process for preparing esters of phosphorous acid, phosphonous acid, or phosphinous acid, which process comprises:
- (A) reacting a compound having the formula R.sub.n PCl.sub.3-n, wherein R is alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6), alkoxy (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6), or alkylthio (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) and n is 0-2; with
- (B) an alkanethiol (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6);
- (C) at a temperature of between about 15.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C;
- (D) the improvement comprising virtually eliminating the induction period of the reaction by carrying out said process in the presence of a catalyst comprising a formamide having the formula: ##STR4## wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are H or alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3).
- 2. The improved process of claim 1 wherein said compound having the formula R.sub.n PCl.sub.3-n is phosphorus trichloride.
- 3. The improved process of claim 2 wherein said alkanethiol is butanethiol.
- 4. The improved process of claim 3 wherein said formamide having the formula: ##STR5## is dimethylformamide.
- 5. The improved process of claim 1 wherein, at higher temperatures, said reactant having the formula R.sub.n PCl.sub.3-n is added to said alkanethiol reactant in increments over a period of time.
- 6. The improved process of claim 1 wherein said formamide catalyst is present in an amount of between about 40 .mu.l and about 2000 .mu.l per mole of reactants.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 653,069, filed Jan. 28, 1976, and now abandoned, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 536,512 filed Dec. 26, 1974, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3607991 |
Peterson et al. |
Sep 1971 |
|
3689602 |
Ismail |
Sep 1972 |
|
3803272 |
Pivainer et al. |
Apr 1974 |
|
Continuations (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
653069 |
Jan 1976 |
|
Parent |
536512 |
Dec 1974 |
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