A rhodium complex Rh2 (OAc) 4 catalyzed the reaction of nitrobenzenes and diphenylphosphine oxide HP (O) Ph2 giving o-(diphenylphosphinoyloxy) anilines predominantly, which were accompanied by small amounts of the p-isomers. Nitorobenzenes possessing a bulky o-substituent, particularly o-(t-butyl) nitrobenzenes, underwent the reaction in high yields. The reaction is considered to involve the reductive ...
