 Organophosphorus chemistry

Organophosphorus chemistry studies organic compounds containing phosphorus, including their structures, bonding, and reactions. Direct phosphorus-carbon bonds occur in phosphonate esters, while phosphorus-oxygen-carbon connections occur in phosphate esters.

Different functional groups support different reactions. A phosphorus ylide can convert a carbonyl group into an alkene in a Wittig reaction, showing how a phosphorus-containing reagent can construct a new carbon-carbon bond.