Photocatalytic functionalization of white phosphorus with aryl bromides and chlorides.

We report the implementation of a consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (conPET) strategy for the functionalization of white phosphorus (P 4 ) with inexpensive and widely available aryl bromides and chlorides. By employing a well-known acridinium-based photocatalyst under near-UV irradiation, this protocol gives direct access to valuable triarylphosphines and tetraarylphosphonium salts. The reaction mechanism is elucidated by NMR spectroscopic studies and model reactions.