Lanthanide Amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 Catalyzed Hydrophosphonylation of Aryl Aldehydes

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of alpha-hydroxy phosphonates via lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3) catalyzed hydrophosphonylation of aromatic aldehydes was developed. The reactions produced the products in excellent yields in the presence 0.1 mol % [(Me3Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3) at room temperature within 5 min. The existence of LiCl in the catalyst was a key factor affecting the catalytic activity. The mechanism for the process of high efficiency was proposed.