H-2-ELIMINATION VERSUS HSIME(3)-ELIMINATION IN THE REACTIVITY OF HP(SIME(3))(2) WITH ME(2)ALH TO YIELD A MIXED ORGANOALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE TRIMER

The reaction of HP(SiMe(3))(2) with Me(2)AlH was studied by variable t emperature NMR. Spectral data indicate that HSiMe(3)-elimination is th e preferred mode of reactivity for producing the Me(2)AlP(H)SiMe(3) mo iety. However, this AI-P intermediate subsequently undergoes a transph osphination reaction with HP(SiMe(3))(2) to produce several Me(2)AlP(S iMe(3))(2)-containing species. The major product from the reaction is the mixed trimeric species [Me(2)AlP(H)SiMe(3)](2) . Me(2)AlP(SiMe(3)) (2) (1), which was isolated and characterized.