Retro-Arbuzov reactions

There are three main decomposition pathways for 7 elimination of (i) RX, (ii) R X or (iii) R"CHO shown in Scheme 8. The route via (i) has been termed a retro-Arbuzov reaction. The decomposition pathway is structure-sensitive, route (i) being characteristic for R = alkyl. When R = aryl, route (ii) is favoured especially if the volatile halide is... 

The pyrolysis of organoarsenic compounds containing the arsenyl moiety has some limited preparative applications [arsenyl (As=0) by analogy with phosphoryl (P=0)]. The compounds are based on the arsonic acid RAs(0)(0H)2, the arsinic acid R2As(0)0H and the arsine oxide R3As=0 structures. The acids are in interesting contrast with the phosphorus series. The phosphonic and phosphinic esters are prepared from the phosphorus(III) precursors via the Arbuzov synthesis. This synthetic route fails with the arsenic analogues, and further, if an alkyl halide or a salt is added in the pyrolysis of arsonic or arsinic acid esters a retro-Arbuzov reaction takes place . ... 

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