Dehydrative Cross‐Coupling and Related Reactions between Alcohols (C−OH) and P(O)−H Compounds for C−P Bond Formation

In(III)-Catalyzed 1,2-Hydrophosphorylation of 3-Alkynyl-3-hydroxyisoindolinones to 3,3-Disubstituted Isoindolinones Featuring Both Phosphoryl and Alkynyl Groups at the C3-Position

We report a highly regioselective 1,2-addition of P(O)-H compounds to the in situ generated β,γ-alkynyl-α-ketimine derived from 3-alkynyl-3-hydroxyisoindolinones, which provided a general protocol for the preparation of 3,3-disubstituted isoindolinones featuring both phosphoryl and alkynyl groups at a quaternary carbon center. The use of only 2-5 mol % of an inexpensive catalyst (In(ClO4)3·8H2O or Bi(OTf)3) allowed the smooth output of the desired products under mild conditions (25 °C, 0.5-24 h) with a broad substrate scope (35 examples) in up to >99% yield. The obtained products could be further elaborated based on the alkyne moiety. The initial asymmetric trial indicated that the use of BINOL-derived CPA could enable an enantioselective induction in up to a 46% yield with 77% ee.

Regioselective 1,4-Addition of P(O)-H Species to In Situ-Formed 1-Benzopyrylium Ion from C3-Substituted 2H-Chromene Hemiketals to Construct C3-Functionalized C4-Phosphorylated 4H-Chromenes

Herein, we report the first example that P(O)-H species including H-phosphonates and H-phosphine oxides could participate in a highly regioselective 1,4-addition to in situ generated 1-benzopyrylium ion from C3-substituted 2H-chromene hemiketals, which provides a brand-new and effective approach for the synthesis of C4-phosphorylated 4H-chromenes with diverse C3-functionality (ketone, ester, sulfonyl, aryl, and alkyl groups). In total, the reaction features the use of inexpensive Zn(ClO4)2·6H2O as a catalyst, low catalyst loading (only 5 mol %), mild reaction conditions (60 °C, 10 min to 24 h), and broad substrate scope (46 examples) as well as good to high yields (>90% yield on average). More importantly, mechanistic experiments demonstrated the essential role of the C3-substituent on 2H-chromene hemiketals in stabilizing the in situ generated 1-benzopyrylium ion and the regioselective 1,4-addition control.

Potassium Phosphate-Mediated Synthesis of C4-Phosphorylated Quinolines via Cascade Cycloisomerization of Ynones

A cascade phosphorylation cycloisomerization of readily accessible ynones and diphenylphosphine oxides facilitated by potassium phosphate is described, allowing for the straightforward synthesis of C4-phosphorylated quinoline scaffolds. The formation of a C-P bond and a C-N bond is achieved in a single procedure without the need for pre-assembled quinoline cores prior to phosphorylation. This transformation operates without the requirement for metals or oxidants and exhibits excellent compatibility with various functional groups. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity evaluation demonstrated that the synthesized C4-phosphorylated quinoline derivatives exhibited potent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Keggin structure heteropolyacid-catalyzed phosphinylation of secondary propargyl alcohols with phosphine oxides to γ-ketophosphine oxides

Phosphotungstic acid with a Keggin structure as an efficient, simple and green catalyst for the phosphinylation of secondary propargyl alcohols with phosphine oxides to afford γ-ketophosphine oxides with up to 88% isolated yield was developed using dimethyl carbonate as a green solvent. Diaryl- or alkylaryl-substituted propargyl alcohols, and diaryl or arylalkylphosphine oxides could tolerate the system, which reduced the catalyst dosage, and avoided the use of multi-components and toxic solvents. More interestingly, phosphotungstic acid exhibited the best activity when 0.58 moles of water were added per mole of HPWA, elevating the yield from 55% to 85%. An 18O labelled product was afforded using trace H218O instead of H2O, indicating the participation of water in the reaction. Besides, our work underscores the importance and effect of a small amount of water, acting to promote the transformation of secondary propargyl alcohols into enones, which should be the real intermediates of the reaction. A mechanism involving a carbocation, Meyer-Schuster rearrangement and Michael addition of enones was proposed.

Ligand-Free Iron-Catalyzed Construction of C-P Bonds via Phosphorylation of Alcohols: Synthesis of Phosphine Oxides and Phosphine Compounds

An efficient method for the construction of C-P(V) and C-P(III) bonds via the iron-catalyzed phosphorylation of alcohols under ligand-free conditions is disclosed. This strategy represents a straightforward process to prepare a series of phosphine oxides and phosphine compounds in good to excellent yields from the readily available alcohols and P-H compounds. A plausible mechanism is also proposed. We anticipate that this mode of transforming simple alcohols would apply in chemical synthesis widely.

TEMPO/PhI(OAc)2 promotes the α-aminophosphinoylation of alcohols with amines and H-phosphine oxides in aqueous medium

A novel method for synthesizing α-aminoalkyl phosphine oxides in aqueous medium, using Ar2P(O)-H reagents, alcohols and amines, is described. This method: (i) allows for the smooth aminophosphinoylation of alcohols with amines and H-phosphine oxides under mild conditions; (ii) provides an efficient and alternative approach to access various α-aminoalkylphosphine oxides. Although various amines exhibited remarkable versatility and tolerance for functional groups in this reaction, alcohols and H-phosphine oxides demonstrated limited applicability as reactants. Hence, further investigation using a wider range of substrates is crucial. The postulated mechanism indicated that the three-component reaction followed the imine pathway due to the in situ oxidation of alcohol to aldehyde.

Zn-Catalyzed Dehydroxylative Phosphorylation of Allylic Alcohols with P(III)-Nucleophiles

A novel and efficient protocol for the synthesis of diarylallyl-functionalized phosphonates, phosphinates, and phosphine oxides through the zinc-catalyzed dehydroxylative phosphorylation of allylic alcohols with P(III)-nucleophiles via a Michaelis-Arbuzov-type rearrangement is reported. A broad range of allylic alcohols and P(III)-nucleophiles (P(OR)3, ArP(OR)2, and Ar2P(OR)) are well tolerated in this reaction, and the expected dehydroxylative phosphorylation products could be synthesized with good to excellent yields under the optimal reaction conditions. The reaction can be easily scaled up at a gram-synthesis level. Furthermore, through the step-by-step control experiments, kinetic study experiments, and 31P NMR tracking experiments, we acquired insights into the reaction and proposed the possible mechanism for this transformation.

Heteropolyacid-Catalyzed Phosphorylation of Secondary Aromatic Alcohols with H-Phosphine Oxides in DMC: A Simple Protocol for C-P Bond Formation

We successfully achieved the phosphorylation of secondary aromatic alcohols with H-phosphine oxides (less developed system) using phosphotungstic acid as a catalyst in dimethyl carbonate. The system was simple and environmentally friendly and showed better activity than traditional Lewis or Brønsted acids such as FeCl3, p-TsOH·H2O, etc., generating up to a 97% isolated yield. Control experiments indicated that the reaction did not occur through the radical pathway, and ethers and carbocation were the key intermediates in the pathway.

Organocatalytic Diastereoselective (4 + 1) Cycloaddition of o-Hydroxyphenyl-Substituted Secondary Phosphine Oxides

The first organocatalytic diastereoselective (4 + 1) cycloaddition of o-hydroxyphenyl-substituted secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) has been established, which makes use of o-hydroxyphenyl substituted SPOs as suitable four-atom phosphorus-containing 1,4-dinucleophiles and 3-indolylformaldehydes as competent 1,1-dielectrophiles under Bro̷nsted acid catalysis. The reaction mechanism was suggested to involve the formation of 3-indolylmethanol intermediates and vinyliminium intermediates, which played an important role in controlling the reactivity and diastereoselectivity of the (4 + 1) cycloaddition under Bro̷nsted acid catalysis. By this approach, a series of benzo oxaphospholes bearing P- and C-stereocenters were synthesized in moderate to good yields (50%-95% yields) with excellent diastereoselectivities (all >95:5 dr). This reaction not only represents the first organocatalytic diastereoselective (4 + 1) cycloaddition of o-hydroxyphenyl-substituted SPOs but also provides an efficient and diastereoselective method for the construction of phosphorus-containing benzo five-membered heterocyclic skeletons bearing both P-stereocenter and C-stereocenter.

Tandem phospha-Michael addition/cyclization/dehydration of 2-hydroxychalcones with H-phosphine oxides for the synthesis of 4-phosphorylated 4H-chromenes

A Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed tandem phospha-Michael addition/cyclization/dehydration of 2-hydroxychalcones with H-phosphine oxides is presented. This protocol provides a new and supplementary approach for the preparation of 4-phosphorylated 4H-chromenes in good yields (up to 99%). In addition, this domino reaction allows the successful construction of two new C-P and C-O bonds in a one-pot operation.

Visible-Light-Promoted Phosphorylation/Cyclization of 1-Acryloyl-2-cyanoindoles in Green Solvent

A visible-light-induced persulfate-promoted cascade phosphorylation/cyclization reaction to access various phosphorylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indolediones under mild conditions was developed. Notably, the transformation was carried out with diethyl carbonate/H₂O as a green medium at room temperature. More impressively, traditional metal catalysts and photocatalysts could be effectively avoided. The reactions are simple to operate, easy to scale up, and have good functional group tolerance.

Copper(II)-catalyzed direct dehydrative alkynylation of 2H-chromene hemiketals with terminal alkynes to 2,2-disubstituted 2-alkynylated 2H-chromenes

The first copper-catalyzed direct dehydrative alkynylation of 2H-chromene hemiketals with terminal alkynes has been uncovered. The use of cheap and readily available CuCl₂ as the catalyst allowed the preparation of various 2,2-disubstituted 2-alkynylated 2H-chromenes in moderate to good yields, which compensates for the limitation of the current methods only suited for the synthesis of 2-monosubsituted 2-alkynylated 2H-chromenes.

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Bisphosphorylation Cascade Cycloisomerization of γ-Hydroxyl Ynones and Diphenylphosphine Oxides: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Bisphosphorylated Dihydrofuran Derivatives

An iron(II)-catalyzed bisphosphorylation cascade cycloisomerization of readily accessible γ-hydroxyl ynones and diphenylphosphine oxides is described. This strategy provides a variety of valuable polysubstituted bisphosphorylated dihydrofuran scaffolds via the construction of two C-P bonds and one C-O bond within a single procedure. This developed reaction system demonstrates good functional group compatibilities with considerably low catalyst consumption (as low as 1%), which could be further scaled up to gram quantities in satisfactory yields.

The construction of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones from N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles through radical strategies

Benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one constitutes a structurally unique class of tetracyclic N-heterocycles that are found throughout a myriad of biologically active natural products, pharmaceutical compounds, and functional materials. Various synthetic routes for the preparation of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones have been reported. In particular, the use of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles to construct benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones through various radical strategies have attracted widespread attention due to the versatility and simple preparation of raw materials, as well as the step-economy and mild reaction conditions. Using representative examples, we highlight significant progress in the synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones, including the selection of the catalytic system, substrate scope, mechanistic understanding, and applications. The contents of this review focus on the development of C-, S-, P-, and Si-centered radical addition-intramolecular cyclization strategies.

Y(OTf)3-catalyzed phosphorylation of 2H-chromene hemiacetals with P(O)-H compounds to 2-phosphorylated 2H-chromenes

A facile synthesis of 2-phosphorylated 2H-chromenes has been accomplished herein via a Y(OTf)₃-catalyzed dehydrative coupling of 2H-chromene hemiacetals with P(O)-H compounds. This protocol features low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope and easy elaboration of the products.

Dearomative 1,6-addition of P(O)–H to in situ formed p-QM-like ion pairs from 2-benzofuryl-ols to C3-phosphinoyl hydrobenzofurans

We report a dearomative C3-phosphorylation and a tandem C3-phosphorylation/aromatization of 2-benzofuryl-ols with P(O)–H species to afford C3-phosphinoyl hydrobenzofurans and benzofurans, respectively.

TfOH-Catalyzed Phosphinylation of 2,3-Allenols into γ-Ketophosphine Oxides

The first facile and efficient acid-catalyzed direct coupling of a wide range of unprotected 2,3-allenols with arylphosphine oxides was developed, offering a general, one-step approach for the synthesis of structurally diverse γ-ketophosphine oxides accompanied by concurrent C-P/C═O bond formation with remarkable functional group tolerance and complete atom-economy under metal- and additive-free conditions. Mechanistic studies showed that this transformation involved a rearrangement and a phospha-Michael reaction.

Visible-Light-Induced Metal-Free Synthesis of 2-Phosphorylated Thioflavones in Water

The introduction of phosphorus functional groups into the skeleton of thioflavones is an attractive task and of great significance. Herein, a metal-free visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization was developed for the preparation of 2-phosphorylated thioflavones from methylthiolated alkynones and phosphine oxides. In water as a green reaction medium, a large number of such 2-phosphorylated thioflavones were prepared, catalyzed by 4CzIPN [1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene] under visible-light irradiation. These reactions could be performed at ambient temperature and feature simple operation, wide reaction scope, and recyclability of aqueous media.

Copper-catalyzed tandem phosphorylative allenylation/cyclization of 1-(o-aminophenyl)prop-2-ynols with the P(O)–H species: access to C2-phosphorylmethylindoles

A novel method to synthesize C2-phosphorylmethylindoles via the carbocation formation initiated tandem phosphorylative allenylation/cyclization of 1-(o-aminophenyl)prop-2-ynols with the P(O)–H species has been developed.

Recent advances in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) for organic synthesis

The application of PECs in organic synthesis reactions and their reaction mechanisms are highlighted.