Beyond Triphenylphosphine: Advances on the Utilization of Triphenylphosphine Oxide

Triphenylphosphine oxide is a well-known industrial waste byproduct, and thousands of tons of it are generated every year. Due to its chemical stability and limited applications, settlement of this waste issue has drawn extensive attention from chemists. The reduction of triphenylphosphine oxide to triphenylphosphine is heretofore the most employed solution, and is well reviewed. In view of our recent studies on the selective and efficient conversion of Ph3P(O) to other valuable organophosphorus chemicals by using sodium, the present perspective mainly highlights the advances on the utilization of Ph3P(O) to prepare a diverse range of functional organophosphorus compounds, except Ph3P, via selective P-C, C-H, and P-O bond cleavages.