Triphenylarsine is the chemical compound

Chemical compound

A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...

 with the formula As(C₆H₅)₃. This organoarsenic compound

Organoarsenic compound

Organoarsenic chemistry is the chemistry of compounds containing a chemical bond between arsenic and carbon. A few organoarsenic compounds, also called "organoarsenicals," are produced industrially with uses as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. In general these applications are declining in...

, often abbreviated AsPh₃, is a colorless crystalline solid that is used as a ligand and a reagent in coordination chemistry and organic synthesis

Organic synthesis

Organic synthesis is a special branch of chemical synthesis and is concerned with the construction of organic compounds via organic reactions. Organic molecules can often contain a higher level of complexity compared to purely inorganic compounds, so the synthesis of organic compounds has...

. The molecule is pyramidal with As-C distances of 1.942-1.956 Å and C-As-C angles of 99.6-100.5°.

This compound is prepared by the reaction of arsenic trichloride

Arsenic trichloride

Arsenic trichloride is an inorganic compound with the formula AsCl3, also known as arsenous chloride or butter of arsenic. This poisonous oil is colourless, although impure samples may appear yellow. It is an intermediate in the manufacture of organoarsenic compounds.-Structure:AsCl3 is a...

 with chlorobenzene

Chlorobenzene

Chlorobenzene is an aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5Cl. This colorless, flammable liquid is a common solvent and a widely used intermediate in the manufacture of other chemicals.-Uses:...

 using sodium

Sodium

Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...

as the reducing agent:

AsCl₃ + 3 PhCl + 6 Na → AsPh₃ + 6 NaCl

Uses

AsPh₃ is the precursor to tetraphenylarsonium chloride, [AsPh₄]Cl, a popular precipitating agent.

AsPh₃ forms complexes with low valent metals that are analogous to the corresponding triphenylphosphine derivatives, such as IrCl(CO)(AsPh₃)₂ and RhCl(AsPh₃)₃.