Zirconium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Double Hydrophosphination of Alkynes with a Primary Phosphine

Abstract

Catalytic double hydrophosphination of internal alkynes and primary phosphines is possible using a zirconium complex, [κ 5 -N,N,N,N,C -(Me 3 SiNCH 2 CH 2 ) 2 NCH 2 CH 2 NSiMe 2 CH]Zr ( 1 ). The reaction proceeds via stepwise hydrophosphination to give vinyl phosphine products, which can be isolated or further converted to the respective 1,2-bis(phosphino)ethane (i.e., double hydrophosphination). The catalysis is highly selective for formation of secondary phosphine products.