Development of novel syntheses of organophosphorus compounds: from a simple P-C bond formation to phosphacycles

Organophosphorus compounds play several essential roles in organic chemistry, such as valuable ligands in transition metal catalysis and functional materials. We have developed versatile organophosphine syntheses via Pd-catalyzed P-C cross-coupling reactions in the course of our study using silylphosphines. Up to three aryl groups can be selectively incorporated into the same phosphorus atom in a stepwise manner. In addition, we found the formation of phosphorus-ylide containing phosphacycles, λ5-phosphinines, during the extension of silylphosphine chemistry.