Synthesis of γ-hydroxypropyl P-chirogenic (±)-phosphorus oxide derivatives by regioselective ring-opening of oxaphospholane 2-oxide precursors

The synthesis of P-chirogenic (±)-phosphine oxides and phosphinates via selective nucleophilic ring opening of the corresponding oxaphospholanes is described. Two representative substrates: the phosphonate 2-ethoxy-1,2-oxaphospholane 2-oxide and the phosphinate 2-phenyl-1,2-oxaphospholane 2-oxide were reacted with various Grignard reagents to produce a single alkyl/aryl product. These products may possess further functionalities in addition to the phosphorus center such as the γ-hydroxypropyl group which results from the ring opening and π-donor moieties such as aryl, allyl, propargyl and allene which originates from the Grignard reagent.