Pd-catalysed, Ag-assisted C2–H alkenylation of benzophospholes

Abstract

A palladium-catalysed, silver-assisted regioselective C2–H alkenylation of benzophospholes with terminal alkenes has been developed. The palladium catalysis accommodates styrenes and electron-deficient alkenes including ester, ketone, nitrile, and phosphonate. Thus, this protocol enables the rapid construction of various benzophosphole–vinylene conjugations from the two simple C–H starting substrates. Optical properties of newly synthesized C2-alkenylated benzophospholes are also investigated.