SELECTIVE C-MONOALKYLATION AND C,C-DIALKYLATION OF THIOPHOSPHORYLACETONITRILES

Alkylation of thiophosphorylacetonitriles under phase transfer catalys is conditions in the 50% NaOH/CH2Cl2 system proceeds as monoalkylation , whereas alkylation in MeCN with the use of solid KOH as a base gives a disubstituted product. The order in which the reagents were added a s well as dilution of the reaction mixture affected substantially the yields of the target compounds. X-ray diffraction analysis of a single crystal of dibutyl(diphenylthiophosphoryl)acetonitrile was carried ou t.