GENERATION OF METHYLENEPHOSPHINE OXIDES BY THERMAL FRAGMENTATION OF DERIVATIVES OF THE 2-PHOSPHABICYCLO[2.2.2]OCTA-5,7-DIENE OXIDE RING-SYSTEM

Differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry sh owed that the title compounds decomposed at 240-260-degrees-C with rel ease of the fragment RP(O) = CH2. Mass spectral studies also showed th is to be a fragmentation pathway. The extruded methylenephosphine oxid e could be trapped with ethanol, hydroquinone, or by reaction with the surface OH groups of silica gel.