Rapid Metal-Free Formation of Free Phosphines from Phosphine Oxides

A rapid method for the reduction of secondary phosphine oxides under mild conditions has been developed, allowing simple isolation of the corresponding free phosphines. The methodology involves the use of pinacol borane (HBpin) to effect the reduction while circumventing the formation of a phosphine borane adduct, as is usually the case with various other commonly used borane reducing agents such as borane tetrahydrofuran complex (BH3 center dot THF) and borane dimethyl sulfide complex (BH3 center dot SMe2). In addition, this methodology requires only a small excess of reducing agent and therefore compares favourably not just with other borane reductants that do not require a metal co-catalyst, but also with silane and aluminium based reagents.