A two step synthesis of 2-oxo-2-vinyl 1,3,2-dioxaphospholanes and -dioxaphosphorinanes

The title compounds are prepared via a two step procedure involving a transesterification between a diol and diethyl phosphite followed by a palladium-catalyzed coupling of the so-obtained cyclic phosphite with vinyl bromide. Theoretical DFT calculations have been performed on phosphonate and phosphite anions models in order to estimate stereoelectronic effects in five-membered and six-membered ring compounds. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.