Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing alkyldiarylphosphines and related compounds. Typically, diphenylphosphinous chloride is reacted in solution with an excess of an alkali metal; and the reaction product reacted with chlorohexane thereby forming hexyldiphenylphosphine. The improved process obtains greater yields, by use of critical amounts of alkali metal; use of a single reactor rather than two reactors; preinitiation of the first stage reaction; reduction of temperatures to increase reaction rate under certain conditions; and preferred reactants and physical form thereof. Novel products include behenyldiphenylphosphine.