Decarboxylative Selective Phosphorylation of Aliphatic Acids: A Transition-Metal- and Photocatalyst-Free Avenue to Dialkyl and Trialkyl Phosphine Oxides from White Phosphorus

Developing practical and mild strategies for the direct functionalization of white phosphorus (P-4) without chlorination is an appealing but formidable challenge. To this end, we report a breakthrough in the preparation of structurally diverse dialkylphosphines and trialkylphosphines that rely on the successive generation of carbon-centered radicals from N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters and the controllable alkylation of the P-4 molecule under transition-metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions. To facilitate separation and prevent product losses during purification, the corresponding oxidation products dialkylphosphine oxides (DAPOs) and trialkylphosphine oxides (TAPOs) were isolated. This photoinduced phosphorylation reaction features one-pot operation, high product selectivity, and tolerates a broad range of alkyl NHPI esters, including derivatives of complex natural products and pharmaceuticals. Further diversified transformation of DAPOs to construct P-F, P-C, P-N, and P-O bonds was also demonstrated.