Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

Martin Reuter

Klaus Hestermann

Bernd Lippsmeier

Production of tertiary (hydroxymethyl)-methylphosphine oxides of the general formula: ##STR1## in which R stands for a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. To this end tertiary bis-(hydroxymethyl)-phosphines of the general formula ##STR2## in which R has the meaning given above, are subjected to a thermal rearrangement reaction at temperatures higher than about 90.degree. C or at temperatures within the range -10.degree. and +250.degree. C, in the presence of a catalyst.

Production of tertiary (hydroxymethyl)-methylphosphine oxides

Production of tertiary methylphosphine oxides of the general formula ##STR1## in which R and R' each stand for identical or different, branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. The compounds are produced by subjecting tertiary hydroxymethylphosphines of the general formula ##STR2## in which R and R' have the meanings given above, to a thermal rearrangement reaction at temperatures higher than about 90.degree. C or, in the presence of a catalyst, at temperatures within the range -10 and +250.degree. C.

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Martin Reuter