Double phosphinylation of propargylic alcohols: A novel synthetic route to 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane derivatives

Double phosphinylation of propargylic alcohols with diphenylphosphine oxide in the presence of a thiolate-bridged diruthenium complex as catalyst gives the corresponding 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)-1-propenes in high yields with a complete selectivity.