Reaction of sodium diethylphosphite with Group VIB hexacarbonyls

The interaction of sodium diethylphosphite with the hexacarbonyl complexes of chromium-group metals occurs as a nucleophilic attack of the diethylphosphite anion at the carbon atom of the carbonyl groups as well as to the generation of the phosphaorganometallic species that are catalytically active in the phosphorylation of tetrachloroethylene.