Stereoselective Synthesis of Phosphoryl- Substituted Phenols

Copper-catalyzed C-X activation-phosphorylation of aryls bearing different groups has been achieved using P(O)-H compounds as efficient phosphorylation reagents without the assistance of any ligand. Optically active H-phosphinates can also act as good substrates in the reaction, giving the (Sp)-phosphoryl substituted phenolic compounds stereospecifically with retention of configuration at the phosphorus center. Furthermore, it is shown that the migration of phosphorus on O-aryl phosphonates from oxygen to carbon also proceeds stereospecifically to produce the corresponding optically active (Rp)-phosphoryl-substituted phenolic compounds with retention of configuration at phosphorus via treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA). Plausible mechanisms have been proposed for these reactions.