CsOH-promoted epoxide ring-opening with phosphines: mild and efficient synthesis of monohydroxyphosphines

A mild and convenient synthesis of monohydroxyphosphines has been achieved by epoxide ring-opening using primary or secondary phosphines in the presence of cesium hydroxide, 4 إ molecular sieves and DMF at room temperature. These reaction conditions were found to be highly regio- and stereoselective producing various monohydroxyphosphines exclusively in moderate to high yields.