Taming PH 3 : State of the Art and Future Directions in Synthesis.

Appetite for reactions involving PH 3 has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH 3 cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal phosphides with acids, thus avoiding pressurized cylinders and specialized equipment. In this perspective we highlight current trends in forming new P-C/P-OC bonds with PH 3 and discuss the challenges involved with selectivity and product separation encumbering these reactions. We highlight the reactivity of PH 3 with main group reagents, building on the early pioneering work with transition metal complexes and PH 3 . Additionally, we highlight the recent renewal of interest in alkali metal sources of H 2 P - which are proving to be useful synthons for chemistry across the periodic table. Such MPH 2 sources are being used to generate the desired products in a more controlled fashion and are allowing access to unexplored phosphorus-containing species.