The stereoselective conversion of epimerized alkoxyl phosphine–borane to P,C, axial-stereogenic tertiary phosphine via cleavage of P–O bond

Abstract

The P–O bond of epimerized alkoxyl phosphine–borane was cleaved by naphthalene-lithium, to form two diastereomers of P-anions in a ratio of 86 : 14, which was then converted to secondary phosphine–borane via acidification, and to tertiary phosphines with alkyl halides with enhanced 96 : 4 dr. The isolated tertiary phosphine containing hydroxyl (in >99 : 1 dr) was converted to multi-stereogenic tertiary phosphines via O-alkylation with alkylene dihalides.