Unusual addition reactions of lithium alkoxides to 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene

2,4,6-Tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene (1) reacts selectively with a mixture of the primary lithium alkoxides 2a,b and the corresponding alcohol s 3a,b to afford the novel 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-alkoxy-1,3,5-triphosp hacyclohexane derivatives 4a,b; treatment of 4a with sulfur results in oxid ation of all phosphorus atoms to furnish the triphosphane sulfide 5.