Novel phosphonite compounds are useful as ligands in transition metal complexes used as catalysts for the addition of hydrocyanic acid to a olefinic double bond and for the isomerization of organic nitriles

摘要

Novel phosphonite compounds are claimed. Phosphonite compounds (I) of formula (1) or (2) are claimed as are processes for their production, their use as ligands in transition metal complexes, novel transition metal complexes, processes for their production, their use as catalysts and processes in the presence of such transition metal complexes as catalysts. R1,R2,R5-R9 = H, 1-8C alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy; R3 = H or methyl; R4 = i-propyl or t-butyl; X = F, Cl or CF3 n = 1 or 2 Independent claims are included for: (1) Transition metal complexes (II) containing a phosphonite ligand of formula (1) or (2). (2) Processes for the production of transition metal complexes by reaction of a transition metal or tranisition metal compound with a phosphonite of formula (1) or (2). (3) A process for the addition of hydrocyanic acid to an olefinic double bond in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal complex (II). (4) A process for the isomerization of organic nitriles in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex (II).