Catalytic Staudinger/Aza-Wittig Sequence by in situ Phosphane Oxide Reduction

A Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction sequence is described that is catalytic in phosphorus. Towards this end, the phosphane oxide is reduced in situ by diphenylsilane, which allows for substoichiometric amounts of the catalyst 5-phenyldibenzophosphole to be used. The substrate scope is investigated and benzoxazoles, benzodiazepine imidates and a 2-methoxypyrrole were successfully synthesized. These investigations show that a fast aza-Wittig reaction is required to obtain high yields.