Reductive cleavage of the halogen–phosphorus and sulfur–phosphorus bonds with alkali metals

The reduction of thiophosphorus acid chlorides with alkali metals (Na, K) in liq. NH3/THF solution, potassium anthracenide, and potassium naphthalenide was investigated. It was found that these types of phosphorus compounds easily undergo reduction to >PS− anions. It was also demonstrated that >PO− and >PS− anions as well very efficiently undergo sulfurization with elementary sulfur in liquid ammonia to yield >P(O)S− and >P(S)S− anions, respectively.