Novel cyclic compounds of trivalent phosphorus, their production, and use thereof

PURPOSE: To obtain the subject novel compound obtained by treating a specified cyclic phosphorus compound with an alkali metal and reacting the product with a bishaloalkylaryl, which forms a complex compound with a group VIII metal in the periodic table of elements and is used as e.g. a hydroformylation catalyst component. CONSTITUTION: The objective novel compound is represented by formula I [wherein a group of formula II (wherein R 1 and R 2 are each H, a 1-5C alkyl, an alkoxyl, or a halogen, R 1 and R 2 are o-fused benzene, naphthalene or the like; (m) and (n) are each 0 or 1; and (s) is 4 or 5) and a group of formula III (wherein (t) is 4 or 5) are each a saturated or mono- or poly-unsaturated five- or six-membered ring; R 3 and R 4 are each H or methyl; (p), (q), and (r) are each 0 or 1-3; and Ar is a 6-18C (substituted) aromatic group], used as a bidentate ligand which forms a complex compound with a group VIII metal in the periodic table, and being useful as a hydroformylation catalyst component {e.g. 2,2'-bis(3,4-dimethylphosphormethylene)-1,1'- biphenyl or the like}. This compound can be obtained by treating a compound of formula IV with an alkali metal and reacting the product with a compound of formula V (wherein Hal is a halogen). COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO