Preparation and characterization of phosphetan alkoxides and aryloxides. Production of cis- and trans-isomers from trans-1-chlorophosphetan 1-oxide

Abstract

Nucleophilic substitution at the phosphorus atom in trans-1-chloro-2,2,3,4,4-pentamethylphosphetan 1-oxide (I) occurs with retention of configuration. We have apparently found an exception to this rule in that reaction of (I) and certain alcohols produces both cis- and trans-isomers. Seventeen alkoxides have been investigated and the products characterized by ¹H and ³¹P n.m.r., i.r. and g.l.c./mass spectrometry; long-range coupling is observed in some of the compounds.