Formation of (1,2-dihydroxynaphth-4-yl)[tris(diethylamino)]-phosphonium bromides in the reaction of 1,2-naphthoquinones with tris(diethylamino)phosphine

The title reaction leads to the formation of betaines containing a phosphorus–carbon bond, 2-hydroxy-4-[tris(diethylamino)-phosphonium]naphthyl-1-ates, which react with bromine and moist acetone (or hydrogen bromide), as well as diethylammonium chloride, to give (1,2-dihydroxynaphth-4-yl)[tris(diethylamino)]phosphonium bromide derivatives.