Metal-free visible-light-induced phosphorylation of unactivated alkyl iodides with white phosphorus as the P-atom source

The development of practical and mild catalytic methods for the direct transformation of white phosphorus into value-added organophosphorus compounds, without the hazardous chlorination step, represents an important advancement in the field of organic synthesis. The first organic-dye-catalyzed radical cascade alkylation of white phosphorus with unactivated alkyl iodides was developed, which selectively afforded structurally diverse dialkylphosphines in moderate to good yields. This practical reaction operates under metal-free conditions and exhibits good functional group tolerance and high phosphorus conversion.

Automated summary

The development of practical and mild catalytic methods for the direct transformation of white phosphorus into valuable organophosphorus compounds represents a significant advancement in organic synthesis.