Analysis of the products of the anionic oligomerisation of a phosphaalkene using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

The first use of MALDI-TOF MS in the study of the products of RLi (R = Me, Bu) initiated oligomerisation of P[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds is reported. These studies may be considered as models for analogous polymerisation reactions. The detected linear products with R-P and C-H end-groups are consistent with a chain growth mechanism similar to that known for olefins. Interestingly, the results suggest that backbiting may compete with chain growth.