Triethyl phosphite can react with electrophiles in a
Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction to produce organophosphonates. For example, the reaction between triethyl phosphite and
ethyl bromoacetate produces a phosphonate suitable for use in the
Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction. between
ethyl bromoacetate and triethyl phosphite resulting in an organophosphonate. Reduction/deoxygenation of
hydroperoxides to the alcohols can also be effected using triethyl phosphite. A proposed mechanism is shown below. Triethyl phosphite can also be used in the
Corey–Winter olefin synthesis. It also forms a stable complex with
copper(I) iodide. ==References==