Synthesis of phosphorus mono- and bicycles by catalytic ring-closing metathesis

A versatile route of synthesis of phosphorus oxide and phosphorus borane templates starting from the bifunctional phosphorylating agent bis(diisopropylamino)ethynylphosphine is presented. Ring-closing enyne metathesis using 4,5-dihydro-imidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium benzylidene complex 3 on these types of substrates led to the formation of mono- and bicyclic phosphorus heterocycles.