Temporary Protection of H-Phosphinic Acids as a Synthetic Strategy

Chemoselective synthesis of long-chain alkyl-H-phosphinic acids via one-pot alkylation/oxidation of red phosphorus with alkyl-PEGs as recyclable micellar catalysts

Long-chain n-alkyl-H-phosphinic acids (Alk = C₄-C₁₈) are chemoselectively synthesized in yields up to 90% via the direct one-pot alkylation/oxidation of red phosphorus (P_n) in the multi-phase alkyl bromide/KOH/H₂O/toluene system with alkyl-PEG recyclable micellar catalysts, which demonstrate good recyclability.

On the cost of academic methodologies

Synthetic methodologies can be easily compared using the Cost of Academic Methodologies (CAM) parameter, which estimates the cost of making a mole of a product.

General synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds: the menthyl phosphinate approach

Easily prepared menthyl phosphinates of high diastereoisomeric purity provide versatile intermediates for the synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds.

Chemistry of phosphorylated formaldehyde derivatives. Part I

The underinvestigated derivatives of unstable phosphorylated formaldehyde acetals and some of the structurally related compounds, such as thioacetals, aminonitriles, aminomethylphosphinoyl compounds, are considered. Separately considered are halogen aminals of phosphorylated formaldehyde, acetals of phosphorylated formaldehyde of H-phosphinate-type and a phosphorylated gem-diol of formaldehyde. Synthetic methods, chemical properties and examples of practical applications are given.

Phosphinate chemistry in the 21st century: a viable alternative to the use of phosphorus trichloride in organophosphorus synthesis

Organophosphorus compounds are important in everyday applications ranging from agriculture to medicine and are used in flame retardants and other materials. Although organophosphorus chemistry is known as a mature and specialized area, researchers would like to develop new methods for synthesizing organophosphorus compounds to improve the safety and sustainability of these chemical processes. The vast majority of compounds that contain a phosphorus-carbon bond are manufactured using phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) as an intermediate. However, these reactions require chlorine, and researchers would like to avoid the use of PCl3 and develop safer chemistry that also decreases energy consumption and minimizes waste. Researchers have already proposed and discussed two primary strategies based on elemental phosphorus (P4 or Pred) or on phosphine (PH3) as alternatives to PCl3. However, phosphinates, an important class of phosphorus compounds defined as any compound with a phosphorus atom attached to two oxygens, R(1)R(2)P(O)(OR) (R(1)/R(2) = hydrogen/carbon), offer another option. This Account discusses the previously neglected potential of these phosphinates as replacements of PCl3 for the preparation of organophosphorus compounds. Because of their strong reductive properties, industry currently uses the simplest members of this class of compounds, hypophosphites, for one major application: electroless plating. In comparison with other proposed PCl3 surrogates, hypophosphorous derivatives can offer improved stability, lower toxicity, higher solubility, and increased atom economy. When their reducing power is harnessed to form phosphorus-carbon or phosphorus-oxygen bonds, these compounds are also rich and versatile precursors to organophosphorus compounds. This Account examines the use of transition metal-catalyzed reactions such as cross-coupling and hydrophosphinylation for phosphorus-carbon bond formation. Because the most important industrial organophosphorus compounds include compounds triply or quadruply bound to oxygen, I also discuss controlled transfer hydrogenation for phosphorus-oxygen bond formation. I hope that this Account will further promote research in this novel and exciting yet much underdeveloped area of phosphinate activation.

Strategies for the asymmetric synthesis of H-phosphinate esters

Access to P-chiral H-phosphinates via desymmetrization of hypophosphite esters was investigated. The use of chiral auxiliaries, chiral catalysts, and of a bulky prochiral group that could lead to kinetic resolution was explored. A chiral NMR assay for enantiomeric excess determination of H-phosphinates was developed. An asymmetric route to C-chiral H-phosphinates is also examined and an assay was developed.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of aspartate transcarbamoylase inhibitors

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of novel inhibitors of aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) are reported. Several submicromolar phosphorus-containing inhibitors are described, but all-carboxylate compounds are inactive. Compounds were synthesized to probe the postulated cyclic transition-state of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. In addition, the associated role of the protonation state at the phosphorus acid moiety was evaluated using phosphinic and carboxylic acids. Although none of the synthesized inhibitors is more potent than N-phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate (PALA), the compounds provide useful mechanistic information, as well as the basis for the design of future inhibitors and/or prodrugs.