T-BUTYL ALCOHOL-ASSISTED FISSION OF THE P-P BONDS IN RED PHOSPHORUS WITH LITHIUM IN LIQUID-AMMONIA - A CONVENIENT PREPARATIVE METHOD FOR DIALKYLPHOSPHANES

Essentially complete fission of the P-P bonds in red phosphorus can be effected by adding one equivalent of t-butylacohol to a mixture of re d P and lithium in liquid ammonia. The reaction has been applied to sy nthesize some dialkylphosphanes.