Phosphonates containing sulfur and selenium. Synthesis of vinylphosphonates bearing α-sulfenyl, α-selenenyl, α-sulfinyl and α-seleninyl moieties and studies on nucleophilic addition

The selenenylation of racemic and optically active α-phosphoryl sulfoxides is a key step leading efficiently to α-phosphorylvinyl sulfoxides or α-phosphorylvinyl selenides depending on the reaction conditions. Oxidation of α-phosphorylvinyl selenides and subsequent thermolysis of selenoxides afford alkynylphosphonates. Studies of the stereochemical course of nucleophilic addition to α-phosphoryl sulfoxides show high facial stereoselectivity of the reaction, however, epimerisation at the α-carbon atom leads to mixtures of diastereomers.