Reaction of Tri(2‐pyridyl)phosphine with Electron‐Deficient Alkynes in Water: Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyridylvinylphosphine Oxides

Abstract

Abstract The reaction of tri(2‐pyridyl)phosphine with electron‐deficient alkynes in water proceeds under mild conditions (40–45 °C, without catalyst, 4–5 h) with liberation of pyridine to give ( E )‐pyridylvinylphosphine oxides in 45–56 % yields, the only exception being the reaction with cyanophenylacetylene, which affords the corresponding vinylphosphine oxide of Z ‐configuration in 40 % yield. The reaction is likely triggered by the zwitterion, the adduct of tri(2‐pyridyl)phosphine to the electrophilic acetylenes, the carbanionic center of which is then neutralized by a proton from water. The intermediate phosphonium hydroxide finally decomposes to the product.