Phospha-Michael addition reaction of maleimides employing N-heterocyclic phosphine-thiourea as a phosphonylation reagent: synthesis of 1-aryl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidine-3-yl-phosphonate derivatives

N-Heterocyclic phosphine (NHP)-thiourea as a novel phosphonylation reagent has been successfully applied for the phospha-Michael reaction of maleimides under catalyst and additive free reaction conditions. This methodology enables desymmetrization of a variety of maleimide derivatives to provide 1-aryl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidine-3-yl-phosphonates in up to 92% yield. Synthetic manipulation of this Michael adduct afforded an ethylphosphonate and a phosphino lactam. Furthermore, a scale-up experiment for its practical usage as a versatile precursor in organic synthesis was readily demonstrated.