Gold-Catalyzed Access to Isophosphinoline 2-Oxides

J Org Chem. 2021 Jun 4;86(11):7813-7824. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c00648. Epub 2021 May 19.

Abstract

Gold(I)-catalyzed reactions of electron-poor alkynes are still a challenging process. A straightforward synthesis of phosphorus-based heterocycles, namely, 2-phenyl 1H-isophosphinoline 2-oxides 1, is reported. The reaction used PPh3AuCl precatalyst in combination with triflic acid under microwave activation and afforded isophosphinoline 2-oxides 1 in moderate to quantitative yields through a fully regioselective 6-endo-dig hydroarylation cyclization, paving the way toward an effective synthesis of phosphorus heterocycles.