Direct Synthesis of Tertiary Phosphines via Alkoxide-Mediated Deborylative Phosphination of Organoboronates

Abstract

The direct transformation of alkylboron has emerged as a versatile and powerful methodology for creating carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds. However, its potential application in the formation of carbon and phosphorus remains unexplored. In this study, we present an alkoxide base-promoted reaction system that enables deborylative phosphination of benzylic organoboronates and geminal bis(boronates) via selective C–B bond cleavage. This approach allows for the synthesis of valuable tertiary phosphines in good yields under mild conditions. The practicality and industrial potential of this approach are underscored by the operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, and easy scalability.