Reactions of triarylphosphines with organolithium reagents. Formation of biaryls

Triarylphosphines bearing 2‐pyridyl or 2‐benzothiazyl groups react with organolithium reagents at −78°C in THF to afford both coupling products and ligand exchanged triarylphosphines. The ligand coupling and ligand exchange are considered to take place via an intermediate formed by the nucleophilic attack of a lithium reagent on the phosphorus atom.