Facile synthesis of α-aminophosphine oxides from diarylphosphine oxides, arynes and formamides

The straightforward synthesis of alpha-amino phosphine oxides via three-component reactions involving arynes, formamides and diarylphosphine oxides is disclosed. This method employs the aryne to activate formamide, without an external activating reagent, which is operationally simple under mild conditions with high efficiency. Furthermore, mechanistic perception suggests a cascade sequence including formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the aryne with a C=O bond, and a 1,4-addition of the H-P(O) compounds to the enamine intermediates.

Automated summary

The study introduces a straightforward method for the synthesis of alpha-amino phosphine oxides via three-component reactions. The use of aryne to activate formamide simplifies the procedure and offers high efficiency under mild conditions. The mechanistic perception suggests a cascade sequence involving formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition and 1,4-addition reactions.