The present invention provides a process for the preparation of mono- and bisacylphosphanes based on formula (I):

##STR00001##

as well as for their corresponding oxides or sulfides. The present invention further relates to photoinitiators obtainable by said process.

Methods of preparing primary phosphine products using one or more precursor cyclophosphanes, hydrogen, and one or more Lewis acid catalysts. In some embodiments, a cyclophosphane precursor and at least one Lewis acid are dissolved in a solvent to provide a solution. The solution is treated with hydrogen, and optionally heated, to cause a reaction that produces a primary phosphine © product. The primary phosphine product may be isolated from the Lewis acid(s) and optionally purified. In some embodiments, a method may include synthesizing the cyclophosphane precursor prior to mixing the cyclophosphane precursor and the Lewis acid(s).

The present subject matter provides a safe alternative for producing an important intermediate useful for preparing the herbicide glufosinate, without need for chlorine components in the manufacturing process. In particular, a process for preparing alkyl phosphinic aid alkyl ester is provided, including the step of alkylating alkyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent in the same apparatus as used to first produce the alkyl phosphinic acid ester, and without isolating the alkyl phosphinic acid ester before the alkylation step is conducted. More specifically, a process is presented for preparing methyl phosphinic acid butyl ester, by alkylating butyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent, in the same apparatus as used previously to first produce the butyl phosphinic acid ester and without isolating the butylphosphinic acid ester before alkylation.

A production method by which a biarylphosphine useful as a Buchwald phosphine ligand can be obtained in high purity is provided through an industrially advantageous process. The production method of a biarylphosphine comprises a step A of reacting a lithiated product obtained through lithiation of a halogenated benzene derivative with a benzene derivative to obtain a biphenyl derivative, and a step B of the reacting the biphenyl derivative with a halogenated phosphine. In the step A, the charge molar ratio of the halogenated benzene derivative to the benzene derivative is preferably 1.0 to 5.0.

A production method by which a biarylphosphine useful as a Buchwald phosphine ligand can be obtained in high purity is provided through an industrially advantageous process. The production method of a biarylphosphine comprises a step A of reacting a lithiated product obtained through lithiation of a halogenated benzene derivative with a benzene derivative to obtain a biphenyl derivative, and a step B of the reacting the biphenyl derivative with a halogenated phosphine. In the step A, the charge molar ratio of the halogenated benzene derivative to the benzene derivative is preferably 1.0 to 5.0.

A compound by the name 1,1,1-tris(di(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphino-methyl)ethane. The compound can be represented by the structure of formula (I): ##STR00001##
The compound is useful as a ligand for ruthenium to form an organometallic complex. The complex is an active catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of amides to form amines and optionally alcohols.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing ((2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-5,5-diyl)bis(methylene))bis(bis(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphine), a ligand for a polyketone polymerization catalyst, under mild conditions with high purity and high yield. Therefore, the preparation method of the present disclosure can be easily applied to mass production.

The present subject matter provides a safe alternative for producing an important intermediate useful for preparing the herbicide glufosinate, without need for chlorine components in the manufacturing process. In particular, a process for preparing alkyl phosphinic aid alkyl ester is provided, including the step of alkylating alkyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent in the same apparatus as used to first produce the alkyl phosphinic acid ester, and without isolating the alkyl phosphinic acid ester before the alkylation step is conducted. More specifically, a process is presented for preparing methyl phosphinic acid butyl ester, by alkylating butyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent, in the same apparatus as used previously to first produce the butyl phosphinic acid ester and without isolating the butylphosphinic acid ester before alkylation.

A compound by the name 1,1,1-tris(di(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphino-methyl)ethane. The compound can be represented by the structure of formula (I):

##STR00001##

The compound is useful as a ligand for ruthenium to form an organometallic complex. The complex is an active catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of amides to form amines and optionally alcohols.

Ferrocenyl-based unsymmetrical ligands containing di(1-adamantyl)phosphino groups with general formula, Fc(Ad.sub.2P) (R.sub.2P) and corresponding metal complexes, include metal halide complexes, N-biphenyl metal cationic complexes and R-allyl metal cationic complexes, useful in catalysis. The ligands and complexes overcome problems with conventional catalysts, providing new routes to previously challenging cross-coupling reactions, including CP coupling, C.sub.sp2C.sub.sp3 coupling and other conventional cross-coupling applications, while being scalable so that they can be provided in sufficient quantity and purity for industrial applications.