Computational Study Revealing the Mechanistic Origin of Distinct Performances of P(O)–H/OH Compounds in Palladium-Catalyzed Hydrophosphorylation of Terminal Alkynes: Switchable Mechanisms and Potential Side Reactions

Pd-catalyzed hydrophosphorylation of alkynes with P(O)–H compounds provided atom-economical and oxidant-free access to alkenylphosphoryl compounds. Nevertheless, the applicable P(O)–H substrates were limited to those without a hydroxyl group except H2P(O)OH. It is also puzzling that Ph2P(O)OH could co-catalyze the reaction to improve Markovnikov selectivity. Herein, a computational study was conducted to elucidate the mechanistic origin of the phenomena described above. It was found that switchable mechanisms influenced by the acidity of substrates and co-catalysts operate in hydrophosphorylation. In addition, potential side reactions caused by the protonation of PdII–alkenyl intermediates with P(O)–OH species were revealed. The regeneration of an active Pd(0) catalyst from the resulting Pd(II) complexes is remarkably slower than the hydrophosphonylation, while the downstream reactions, if possible, would lead to phosphorus 2-pyrone. Further analysis indicated that the side reactions could be suppressed by utilizing bulky substrates or ligands or by decreasing the concentration of P(O)–OH species. The presented switchable mechanisms and side reactions shed light on the co-transformations of P(O)–H and P–OH compounds in the Pd-catalyzed hydrophosphorylation of alkynes, clarify the origin of the distinct performances of P(O)–H/OH compounds, and provide theoretical clues for expanding the applicable substrate scope of hydrophosphorylation and synthesizing cyclic alkenylphosphoryl compounds.