Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized tetraarylphosphonium salts.

An efficient method to synthesize functionalized tetraarylphosphonium salts is described. This palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction between aryl iodides, bromides, or triflates and triphenylphosphine generates phosphonium salts in high yields. The coupling is compatible with a variety of functional groups such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, phenols, and amides.