A straightforward synthesis of unsymmetrical secondary phosphine boranes

Abstract

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of unsymmetrical alkyl-substituted secondary phosphine oxides is described. The sequential addition of N-benzylaniline to a solution of dichlorophenylphosphine and 1-methylimidazole in methylcyclohexane, separating of the protic ionic liquid formed, addition of Grignard reagent followed by hydrolysis gave unsymmetrical secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) in high yield. The use of ionic liquids in the first step is essential and streamlined the synthesis. Unsymmetrical SPOs could be quantitatively reduced to secondary phosphine using a catalytic amount of Ti(OiPr)₄ and tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) under mild reaction conditions.