title: General synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds: the menthyl phosphinate approach.
abstract: Easily prepared menthyl phosphinates of high diastereoisomeric purity provide versatile intermediates for the synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds. Previous efforts starting about fifty years ago have been hampered by a lack of generality so the menthyl route has been nearly abandoned. Herein we provide a general solution to this long-standing problem and describe a general synthesis of menthyl H-phosphinate and disubstituted phosphinate esters. The method to prepare these versatile precursors relies on a simple and inexpensive process avoiding the use of phosphorus trichloride, Grignard reagents, and complicated cryogenic crystallizations. Established protocols can then be employed to synthesize P-stereogenic secondary and tertiary phosphine oxides and therefore P-stereogenic phosphine ligands.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Box 298860. and Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, USA. j.montchamp@tcu.edu.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Montchamp