Synthesis of Chalcogen-Substituted Phosphiranes: A Privileged Phosphinidene Precursor

A simple and convenient method for synthesizing chalcogen-substituted (Ch = S or Se) phosphiranes was achieved through the reaction of a phosphiranide complex with sulfur (or selenium). The presented approach shows a good functional group compatibility. The ring strain and stability of the lone pair of S (or Se) on phosphinidenes enable these phosphiranes to be privileged phosphinidene precursors. The synthetic potentials of these chalcogen-substituted phosphiranes were demonstrated through P-S (Se) bond transfer reactions with various phosphinidene trapping reagents.