Pure phosphotriesters as versatile ligands in transition metal catalysis: efficient hydrosilylation of ketones and diethylzinc addition to aldehydes

Abstract

This work aims to highlight the underrated role played by pure phosphotriester (or phosphate) ligands in catalysis, when compared to other phosphorus-containing donors such as phosphane oxides or phosphites. To probe this and to enlarge the very narrow catalytic scope of these Lewis bases, easily accessible mono- and bidentate phosphotriesters were tested as donors in two important transition metal-based catalytic transformations: the zinc-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones and the titanium-promoted diethylzinc addition to aldehydes. In both cases, the reactions were successful and the corresponding alcohols were obtained in high yields.