trismethylphosphine

Trimethylphosphine is a chemical compound with the formula P(CH3)3, often abbreviated as PMe3. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor. As a tertiary phosphine, it features a phosphorus atom bonded to three methyl groups. Trimethylphosphine is a Lewis base and a strong reducing agent, making it reactive in various chemical processes. It is soluble in organic solvents but sparingly soluble in water.

The synthesis of trimethylphosphine can be achieved through several methods, including the reaction of phosphorus trichloride with methylmagnesium bromide or methyl lithium. It is a widely used ligand in organometallic chemistry, forming stable complexes with many transition metals. These complexes find applications in catalysis, such as in hydroformylation and polymerization reactions. Trimethylphosphine is also employed as a reagent in organic synthesis, for example, in Wittig reactions and as a nucleophile. Due to its toxicity and flammability, it requires careful handling and storage.