Abstract A number of volatile and non-volatile primary and secondary alkyl phosphines have been prepared by one-pot procedures from elemental phosphorus or from phosphorus trichloride. The element or chloride was first converted into trisodium phosphide by reaction with sodium in the presence of naphthalene or another solubilisation reagent. Subsequent addition of two equivalents of t-butyl alcohol and an alkyl halide gave monoalkyl ...
