Copper (II)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of H/P(O)R2 to alkynes

Cu(acac)(2) is the new universal catalyst for beta-E regio- and stereoselective syn-addition of the H-P(O)-bond of diphenylphosphine oxide, H-phosphinates, dialkylphosphites to various alkynes in the synthesis of P(O)-containing alkenes. Without additives and ligands Cu(II)-compounds showed better results than CuI or Ni(acac)(2). The catalytic system developed is tolerant to typical organic functional groups present in the alkynes and to the nature of different substituents in the H-P(O)-compounds. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.