Appearance colorless liquid Formula C3H9O3P | Density 1.05 g/cm³ Boiling point 108 °C | |
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Trimethylphosphite is an organophosphorus compound with the formula P(OCH3)3, often abbreviated P(OMe)3. This colorless liquid is used as a ligand in organometallic chemistry and as a reagent in organic synthesis. The molecule features a pyramidal phosphorus(III) center bound to three methoxide groups.
Synthesis and reactions
Although commercially available, trimethylphosphite is prepared from phosphorus trichloride:
It is susceptible to oxidation to trimethyl phosphate.
As a ligand, trimethylphosphite has a smaller cone angle and better acceptor properties relative to trimethylphosphine. A representative derivative is the colorless, tetrahedral complex Ni(P(OMe)3)4 (m.p. 108 °C). The tridentate ligand called the Klaui ligand is derived from trimethylphosphite. The formation of this ligand illustrates the susceptibility of trimethylphosphite (and metal complexes thereof) to the Arbuzov reaction.
Trimethylphosphite is also used as a mild desulfurization reagent in organic synthesis, for example in the preparation of derivatives of tetrathiafulvalene.