A three-step process for the synthesis of the bis (diorganophosphino) ethanes R2PCH2CH2PR2 where R= Et, Ph, iPr, Cy and tBu was examined. In the first step, diorganochlorophosphines were allowed to react with ethylene glycol in the presence of triethylamine at room temperature in THF solution. For R= Ph, iPr and Cy, the bisphosphinites R2POCH2CH2OPR2 were obtained in high yield. For R= Et, the ...