Functional Applications

The functional properties of alkylphosphines and derivatives thereof are used in a broad range of applications. Alkylphosphonic and phosphinic acids as well as phosphine oxides (see Table) can be used for surface modification, plasticizers and organic solvent extractant reagents. High boiling tertiary alkylphosphines (see Table) such as CYTOP® 380 and the corresponding oxides are used as solvents for the synthesis of CdS, CdSe and CdTe “quantum dots” as well as other nano particles. Phosphonium salts (see Table) find utility as phase transfer catalyst, epoxy curing catalysts, biocides, anti-stats, plasticizers, exfoliants for clay and more recently as “ionic liquids” (see Table). The latter are low-melting or room temperature liquid phosphonium salts and are finding uses as lubricants, anti-corrosion agents, electrolytes, media for separations of gasses, organic liquids and metals as well as solvents for various chemical reactions including bio-transformations with enzymes and live organisms. 

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