Silver-Catalyzed Carbon-Phosphorus Functionalization for Polyheterocycle Formation

Polyheterocycle construction with high diastereoselectivity by utilizing a radical process is still problematic. In this communication, a silver-catalyzed carbon-phosphorus functionalization for polyheterocycle formation is described that furnishes good diastereoselectivity. Various substituted 1-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ones and phosphine oxides were suitable for this transformation. This work avoids the installation of direct functional groups and thus makes full use of shorter and more efficient synthetic processes. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that phosphorus radicals are involved by attacking the -position of ,-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to generate the desired products.