“On‐Water” Synthesis of Sterically Congested γ‐Ketophosphine Oxides Featuring a CF3‐ and P(O)‐Tetrasubstituted Carbon Center

Abstract The distinctive hydrophobic hydration effect in the aqueous solution contributes to the success of the phospha‐Michael reaction between β‐CF 3 ‐β,β‐disubstituted enones and diarylphosphine oxides, providing an access to biologically relevant γ‐ketophosphine oxides bearing a sterically highly congested CF 3 ‐ and P(O)‐tetrasubstituted carbon center. More importantly, the resulting products could be further transformed into densely functionalized γ‐ketophosphine oxides containing a CF 3 ‐ and P(O)‐tetrasubstituted carbon center.