Chemoselective Activation of Diethyl Phosphonates: Modular Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Phosphonylated Scaffolds

Tf2O-Mediated P(O)-N Bond Formation of Either P(O)-OH or P(O)-H Reagents with Multitype Amines

We have developed a Tf2O-mediated approach for the direct amination of either P(O)-OH or P(O)-H reagents with a variety of aliphatic or aromatic amines. Without the requirement of precious metals and toxic reagents, this protocol provides an alternative route to various phosphinamides and phosphoramides. The reaction proceeds under simple and mild conditions and can be effectively scaled up with similar efficiency.

Synthesis of Mixed Phosphonate Esters and Amino Acid-Based Phosphonamidates, and Their Screening as Herbicides

While organophosphorus chemistry is gaining attention in a variety of fields, the synthesis of the phosphorus derivatives of amino acids remains a challenging task. Previously reported methods require the deprotonation of the nucleophile, complex reagents or hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester. In this paper, we demonstrate how to avoid these issues by employing phosphonylaminium salts for the synthesis of novel mixed n-alkylphosphonate diesters or amino acid-derived n-alkylphosphonamidates. We successfully applied this methodology for the synthesis of novel N-acyl homoserine lactone analogues with varying alkyl chains and ester groups in the phosphorus moiety. Finally, we developed a rapid, quantitative and high-throughput bioassay to screen a selection of these compounds for their herbicidal activity. Together, these results will aid future research in phosphorus chemistry, agrochemistry and the synthesis of bioactive targets.

Tf2O/DMSO-mediated dual activation of aryl phosphinate to access various aryl phosphonates

A metal-free method for the dual activation of aryl phosphinate has been developed; the P-H and P-O bonds are sequentially activated by the Tf2O/DMSO system. Without the requirement of metals and unstable P-reagents, this one-pot procedure provides a convenient and practical access to a variety of aryl phosphonates. A mechanism involving twice generation of electrophilic P-species and two SN-processes is proposed on the basis of the control experiments.

Synthesis of biolabile thioalkyl-protected phosphates from an easily accessible phosphotriester precursor

Robust methods for the synthesis of mixed phosphotriesters are essential to accelerate the development of novel phosphate-containing bioactive molecules. To enable efficient cellular uptake, phosphate groups are commonly masked with biolabile protecting groups, such as S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) esters, that are removed once the molecule is inside the cell. Typically, bis-SATE-protected phosphates are synthesised through phosphoramidite chemistry. This approach, however, suffers from issues with hazardous reagents and can give unreliable yields, especially when applied to the synthesis of sugar-1-phosphate derivatives as tools for metabolic oligosaccharide engineering. Here, we report the development of an alternative approach that gives access to bis-SATE phosphotriesters in two steps from an easy to synthesise tri(2-bromoethyl)phosphotriester precursor. We demonstrate the viability of this strategy using glucose as a model substrate, onto which a bis-SATE-protected phosphate is introduced either at the anomeric position or at C6. We show compability with various protecting groups and further explore the scope and limitations of the methodology on different substrates, including N-acetylhexosamine and amino acid derivatives. The new approach facilitates the synthesis of bis-SATE-protected phosphoprobes and prodrugs and provides a platform that can boost further studies aimed at exploring the unique potential of sugar phosphates as research tools.

Triflic Anhydride (Tf2O)-Activated Transformations of Amides, Sulfoxides and Phosphorus Oxides via Nucleophilic Trapping

Trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (Tf2O) is utilized as a strong electrophilic activator in a wide range of applications in synthetic organic chemistry, leading to the transient generation of a triflate intermediate. This versatile triflate intermediate undergoes nucleophilic trapping with diverse nucleophiles to yield novel compounds. In this review, we describe the features and applications of triflic anhydride in organic synthesis reported in the past decade, especially in amide, sulfoxide, and phosphorus oxide chemistry through electrophilic activation. A plausible mechanistic pathway for each important reaction is also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 Amide Chemistry

2.1 Carbon Nucleophiles

2.2 Hydrogen Nucleophiles

2.3 Nitrogen Nucleophiles

2.4 Oxygen and Sulfur Nucleophiles

2.5 hosphorus Nucleophiles

2.6 A Vilsmeier-Type Reagent

2.7 Umpolung Reactivity in Amides

3 Sulfoxide Chemistry

3.1 Oxygen Nucleophiles

3.2 Carbon Nucleophiles

3.3 Nitrogen Nucleophiles

3.4 Thionium Reagents

4 Phosphorus Chemistry

4.1 Hendrickson’s Reagent

4.2 Diaryl Phosphine Oxides

4.3 Phosphonates, Phosphates and Phosphinates

5 Conclusion and Outlook

Electrochemical Enabled Cascade Phosphorylation of N-H/O-H/S-H Bonds with P-H Compounds: An Efficient Access to P(O)-X Bonds

An electrochemical three component cascade phosphorylation reaction of various heteroatoms-containing nucleophiles including carbazoles, indoles, phenols, alcohols, and thiols with Ph₂ PH has been established. Electricity is used as the "traceless" oxidant and water and air are utilized as the "green" oxygen source. All kinds of structurally diverse organophosphorus compounds with P(O)-N/P(O)-O/P(O)-S bonds are assembled in moderate to excellent yields (three categories of phosphorylation products, 50 examples, up to 97 % yield). A tentative free radical course is put forward to rationalize the reaction procedure.

Fluorophosphonates on-Demand: A General and Simplified Approach toward Fluorophosphonate Synthesis

Herein, we report a general and simplified synthesis of fluorophosphonates directly from p-nitrophenylphosphonates. This FP on-demand reaction is mediated by a commercially available polymer-supported fluoride reagent that produces a variety (25 examples) of fluorophosphonates in high yields while only requiring reagent filtration for pure fluorophosphonate isolation. This reaction protocol facilitates the rapid profiling of serine hydrolases with diverse and novel sets of activated phosphonates with differential proteome reactivity. Moreover, slight modification of the procedure into a reaction-to-assay format has enabled additional screening efficiency.

Selective hydrolysis of phosphorus(V) compounds to form organophosphorus monoacids

An azide and transition metal-free method for the synthesis of elusive phosphonic, phosphinic, and phosphoric monoacids has been developed. Inert pentavalent P(v)-compounds (phosphonate, phosphinate, and phosphate) are activated by triflate anhydride (Tf2O)/pyridine system to form a highly reactive phosphoryl pyridinium intermediate that undergoes nucleophilic substitution with H2O to selectively deprotect one alkoxy group and form organophosphorus monoacids.

Evaluation and Development of Methodologies for the Synthesis of Thiophosphinic Acids

Thiophosphorus acids R¹R²P(S)OH constitute an important class of organophosphorus compounds, in which the phosphorus atom is intrinsically chiral if R¹ ≠ R². In connection with a project aimed at the preparation of chiral thiophosphorus acids, various available literature methods were considered, but few fit the requirement of odorless reagents. Herein, the results of our studies on the synthesis of thiophosphinic acids are reported. Ultimately, two major approaches were selected: (1) the Stec reaction of phosphorus amides with carbon disulfide; and (2) the one-pot synthesis of thiophosphorus acids from H-phosphinates, an organometallic nucleophile, and quenching with elemental sulfur. An application to the preparation of a potential chiral phosphorus organocatalyst is also reported.

Efficient Synthesis of Phosphonamidates through One-Pot Sequential Reactions of Phosphonites with Iodine and Amines

A one-pot sequential strategy to construct phosphonamidates has been developed by generating phosphonites in situ from arylmagnesium bromides and triethyl phosphite followed by treatment with iodine and amines. A variety of phosphonamidates were obtained with good to excellent yields at room temperature from easily available materials.

Denitrative Cross-Couplings of Nitrostyrenes

Interestingly, β-nitrostyrenes, typically bench stable compounds, are highly promising cross-coupling partners, due to their excellent availability and well understood reactivity. In this review, we report on the discovery and advancements, in the field of stereoselective, denitrative cross-couplings of β-nitrostyrenes with miscellaneous organic reagents. The rapidly expanding field offers alternative access to a broad range of functionalized alkenes, including β-alkylated styrenes, chalcones, stilbenes, cinnamic acids, and conjugated sulfones and phosphonates. The most important mechanistic pathways are briefly discussed, to familiarize readers with the elementary reactions occurring during the coupling.

Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Six-Membered Benzofuzed Phenophosphazinine Oxides and Studies of the Photophysical Properties

A facile synthesis of nitrogen-containing six-membered benzofuzed phosphacycles has been described. This cyclization reaction triggered by Tf₂O provides an expedient protocol of phosphacycles with a simple operation at mild conditions. The preliminary photophysical studies of these novel materials reveal that the fluorescence intensity enhances with the molecular aggregation in the solid state and that the introduction of the sterically bulky phenanthrene group into the phosphacycles allows a significant increase in the fluorescence quantum yield.

A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton–Todd-type reaction under open air

A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton–Todd-type reaction enables the phosphorylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis of 2-Aminophosphates via SN2-Type Ring Openings of Aziridines with Organophosphoric Acids

The synthesis of 2-aminophosphates is achieved by a S_N2-type ring opening reaction of various N-protected or free aziridines with phosphoric acids in a regiospecific and/or enantiospecific way. A one-pot, two-step procedure is also developed enabling direct access to 2-aminophosphates from olefins without isolation of the aziridine intermediates.

A scalable electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of P(O)H compounds with RSH/ROH

A practical, scalable electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of P(O)H compounds with thiols, phenols and alcohols in both an undivided cell and a continuous-flow setup is disclosed. Its broad substrate scope (>50 examples), good functional-group tolerance and scalability (>10 g) show potential for practical synthesis. A preliminary mechanistic study suggests that the phosphorus radicals are involved in the catalytic cycle.

Chemoselective Activation of Diethyl Phosphonates: Modular Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Phosphonylated Scaffolds

Phosphonates have garnered considerable attention for years owing to both their singular biological properties and their synthetic potential. State-of-the-art methods for the preparation of mixed phosphonates, phosphonamidates, phosphonothioates, and phosphinates rely on harsh and poorly selective reaction conditions. We report herein a mild method for the modular preparation of phosphonylated derivatives, several of which exhibit interesting biological activities, that is based on chemoselective activation with triflic anhydride. This procedure enables flexible and even iterative substitution with a broad range of O, S, N, and C nucleophiles.