Triphenylarsine

Triphenylarsine is an organometallic compound with the formula (C6H5)3As, often abbreviated as Ph3As. This colourless solid is widely used in the synthesis of other organometallic and inorganic arsenic compounds. It is also a group 15 ligand in coordination chemistry.

Structure and bonding

Triphenylarsine is a trigonal planar molecule. The As-C bond lengths are 1.94 Å. The molecule is related to the more common phosphines, which also feature a trigonal planar center.

Preparation

Triphenylarsine can be prepared by reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with arsenic trichloride:

3 PhMgBr + AsCl3 → Ph3As + 3 MgBrCl

Reactions

Triphenylarsine is a common ligand in coordination chemistry. It is a softer ligand than triphenylphosphine. It forms complexes with most transition metal ions. For example, it reacts with nickel(II) chloride to give the square planar complex NiCl2(Ph3As)2.

Safety

Like many organoarsenic compounds, triphenylarsine is toxic. It is also flammable.

References

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