Abstract: Tertiary alkylphosphines of the general formula R.sub.3 P, in which R stands for identical or different, linear, unsubstituted alkyl groups having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, with the proviso however that one of the alkyl groups may be a secondary butyl group, are made by reacting hydrogen phosphide PH.sub.3 with an appropriate alkene or alkenes in stoichiometric excess, if desired, at elevated temperature and under increased pressure in contact with a radical-yielding agent. 2,2'-azobis-(2-methylbutyronitrile) is used as the radical-yielding agent in the absence of whatever alien solvent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for making a particulate agent stable to hydrolysis based on free-flowing, pulverulent ammonium polyphosphate by treating the ammonium polyphosphate with a thermosetting, artificial resin being water-insoluble when cured. More specifically, the disclosure provides for the ammonium polyphosphate, an aliphatic alcohol as a diluent, and a melamine/formaldehyde-resin or phenol/formaldehyde-resin to be placed in an autoclave and intimately mixed at room temperature; for the mixture to be heated to a temperature of about 80.degree. to about 180.degree. C. and allowed to remain over a period of 15 to 240 minutes at that temperature and under the pressure corresponding to the vapor pressure of the diluent; for the diluent to be separated and for the product so obtained to be dried.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for making alkali metal hypophosphite solutions by reacting yellow phosphorus with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and/or carbonate. The disclosure provides more particularly for an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to be added to the mixture obtained by reacting the phosphorus with the alkali metal compound solution specified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making an isomeric mixture of secondary phosphines with the summation formula C.sub.20 H.sub.27 P. To this end, hydrogen phosphide is reacted with dicyclopentadiene in the presence of an agent yielding free radicals. More specifically, hydrogen phosphide and dicyclopentadiene are used in a molar ratio of 1 to at least 2 and the reaction is effected under a pressure of 5 to 90 bars. The mixture is used in the production of flotation aids and as an ingredient of catalytically active transition metal complexes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making tertiary phosphines of the general formula R.sub.3 P, in which R stands for a linear alkyl radical having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. To this end, hydrogen phosphide is reacted with linear monoolefins having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. More particularly, the tertiary phosphine which is desired to be made is dissolved in an inert solvent and PH.sub.3 and monoolefin are reacted in the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to the continuous production of phosphine. To this end, elemental phosphorus is reacted with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution and at least one alcohol, the reactants being used in admixture with 0.01 to 2 weight % of a surfactant, the percentage being based on the alcohol.

Abstract: Organic phosphines are produced by reacting an alkylene, cycloalkylene or aralkylene in the presence of a free radical-yielding catalyst. More specifically, a pressure reactor, which is provided in its interior with mixing elements, kept free from oxygen, and subdivided so as to comprise an upper cooling zone and a lower reaction zone, is continuously supplied from above with (a) a solution of the alkylene, cycloalkylene or aralkylene and the catalyst in an inert solvent, and (b) a stoichiometric excess of hydrogen phosphide, the said (a) and (b) reactants being supplied jointly with but separately from one another; the (a) and (b) reactants are mixed in the upper cooling zone of the reactor at about 0.degree. to 35.degree. C. and under a PH.sub.3 -pressure of about 80 to 300 bars; the resulting mixture, which travels downwardly in the reactor, is reacted in the lower reaction zone at about 90.degree. to 190.degree. C.

Abstract: Production of tertiary phosphine oxides which contain nitrile groups and correspond to the following general formula I: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sub.2 each stand for a straight or branched, identical or different alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or aralkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and in which R.sup.1 or R.sub.2 may be identical with R, which stands for a radical of the following general formula II: ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each stand for a straight or branched, identical or different alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or aralkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and/or hydrogen atoms. The tertiary phosphine oxides are made by reacting a phosphine of the following general formula III: ##STR3## in which R.sup.5 has the same meaning as R.sup.3 and R.sup.6 has the same meaning as R.sup.4 but is no hydrogen, with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile of the following general formula IV: ##STR4## in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 have the meanings given above.