Chemical Properties
WHITE TO SLIGHTLY YELLOW FINE CRYSTALLINE POWDER
Uses
Propargyltriphenylphosphonium bromide can be used in the alcylation of amines. It is a commonly used as a Wittig reagent.
Preparation
Propargyltriphenylphosphonium bromide is readily available from Triphenylphosphine and propargyl bromide (see Propargyl Chloride) (eq 1). The presence of hydrogen bromide is absolutely necessary, otherwise the base Ph3P causes the formation of tarry products.
Purification Methods
It recrystallises from 2-propanol as white plates. It also crystallises from EtOH with m 156-158o. IR has max 1440, 1110cm1 (P-C str). [Elter & Dediger Justus Liebigs Ann Chem 682 62 1965, Schweizer et al. J Org Chem 42 200 1977].
