Direct Benzylic Phosphination of Toluenes Enabled by a Heterobimetallic LiN(SiMe 3 ) 2 /Cs 2 SO 4 System
Abstract
Organophosphorus compounds hold significant importance in materials science, medicinal chemistry, and agrochemicals. However, their syntheses have mainly relied on transition metals and prefunctionalized substrates. To overcome these limitations, we herein report a transition-metal-free, chemoselective benzylic phosphination of toluenes mediated by a heterobimetallic LiN(SiMe 3 ) 2 /Cs 2 SO 4 system. This protocol directly activates inert benzylic C–H bonds with good functional group tolerance, circumventing the need for substrate prefunctionalizations. The practicality of this method is demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis and further derivatization of the phosphine products.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Organophosphorus compounds synthesis
Phosphorus compounds and reactions
Catalytic C–H Functionalization Methods
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Organic Letters
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 2248–2253
- Publication date
- 6 February 2026
- Language
- EN