Synthesis of Organophosphorus Compounds through Copper-Catalyzed Annulation Involving C-O and C-P Bond Formations

A novel copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate-catalyzed, high-efficiency, and atom-economical synthesis of valuable organophosphorus compounds via cascade annulation of propargylic alcohols with diphenylphosphine oxide is described. This protocol, which has a good functional-group compatibility and insensitivity to an ambient atmosphere, provides a simple and direct pathway to the products, organophosphorus compounds, in good yields under mild conditions. The method could be efficiently scaled up to gram scale, thus highlighting a potential application of this methodology.