Electrocatalytic reduction of aryldichlorophosphines with the (2,2'-bipyridine)nickel complexes

The reduction of aryldichlorophosphines in organic solvents was studied by cyclic voltammetry, preparative electrolysis, and chemical reduction. The reaction of the electrochemically generated (2,2'-bipyridine)nickel(0) complexes with aryldichlorophosphines PhPCl2 and tippPCl(2) (tipp is 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) proceeds through the formation of highly reactive organophosphorus intermediates, whose reactions with diphenylacetylene and hex-1-ene afford phosphirene and phosphirane heterocycles, respectively.