In this contribution we present the direct conversion of sodium phosphinate (NaH2PO2·H2O) to symmetrical sodium diarylphosphinates and their corresponding acids by using palladium catalysis. This route eliminates the need for chlorinated precursors, such as PCl3 and intermediate alkyl‐ or ammoniumphosphinates.

The cover picture shows a new synthetic route for the direct conversion of sodium phosphinate (NaH2PO2·H2O) to diorganophosphinates and their corresponding acids by using palladium catalysis. Diorganophosphinates and their derivatives are relevant in many fields of application: from flame retardants to solar cells and from ligands for catalysis to pharmaceutical applications and metal extraction. They can also be interesting intermediates in the synthesis of other P‐derivatives. The new synthetic route eliminates the need for chlorinated precursors, such as PCl3, or intermediate alkyl‐ or ammoniumphosphinates. Details are discussed in the Communication by B.‐J. Deelman et al. on page 434 ff (DOI: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejoc.201601222/abstract).