The Synthesis of Bis(α-aryl-methylphosphonoyl)amines by the Microwave-Assisted Catalyst-Free Tandem Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

Potentially biologically active α-aminophosphonic derivatives were prepared by the Kabachnik–Fields condensation of α-amino-α-aryl-methylphosphonates, arylaldehydes, and diethyl phosphite to afford bis(α-aryl-methylphosphonoyl)-amines as a mixture of racemic and meso isomers. To go “green”—performing the transformations under microwave irradiation—there was no need for a catalyst. On the other hand, the phospha-Mannich reaction of α-amino-α-phenyl-methylphosphonate with arylaldehydes led to (α-aryl-methylphosphonoyl)-(α-phenyl-methylphosphonoyl)-amines as a mixture of SS/RR and SR/RS racemates. Moreover, the respective symmetric products with identical aryl groups were also present. The outcome was similar, when α-amino-α-aryl-methyl-phosphonates were condensed with benzaldehyde and diethyl phosphite. The products were analyzed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The combined NMR analysis of the products confirmed their structure.