Benzophosphinic

/ˌbɛnzoʊfɔsˈfɪnɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or containing a compound with fused benzene rings bonded to a phosphorus-containing group, used in coordination chemistry and catalysis.

Etymology

From benzo- (benzene) + phosphin- (phosphorus) + -ic (adjective suffix). Emerged in late 20th-century organophosphorus chemistry as researchers developed phosphine ligands for catalysis.

Kelly Says

Benzophosphinic compounds are superstars in green chemistry—phosphine ligands can control which way molecules build, allowing chemists to create single mirror-image molecules instead of unwanted twins, which is critical for making pure medications.

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