Synthesis of Diphenyl(nitroaryl)phosphine Oxides via Oxidative Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydrogen in Nitroarenes with Diphenylphosphine Anion

Potassium and sodium salts of diphenylphosphine add to nitroarenes in the position ortho and para to the nitro group. Subsequent oxidation of sigma(H)-adducts with potassium permanganate gave diphenyl(nitroaryl)phosphine oxides.