Nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen through lithiated phosphine borane complexes and N-phosphorylphosphazenes

Organophosphorus compounds containing nitroaryl and cyanoaryl groups have been prepared in good yield through nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen using α-lithiated phosphazenes and phosphine borane complexes as nucleophiles. In all cases, nearly exclusive replacement of the hydrogen in the para position with respect to the activating group has been observed.