Brønsted base-catalyzed 1,2-addition/[1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement sequence providing functionalized phosphonates.

A new methodology for the introduction of functional groups into an organic molecule in which a keto or a formyl group is used as the connecting site was developed by utilizing the 1,2-addition/[1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement sequence under Brønsted base catalysis. The reaction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones with phosphinates having functional groups such as alkynyl, bromoalkyl, N-Boc amino, and boryl groups efficiently proceeded with the aid of phosphazene base P2-tBu as the catalyst, providing densely functionalized phosphonates in good yields.