Metal-catalyzed phosphinyl ester forming reaction of alcohols and phenols with diphosphine disulfides and a dioxide

Transition metal complexes catalyzed the dialkylphosphinothioation reaction of alcohols and phenols with tetraalkyldiphosphine disulfides in high yields. Phenols were reacted in the presence of RhH(PPh3)4 and 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane under THF reflux, and alcohols with Pd(OAc)2 and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene under chlorobenzene reflux. Primary alcohols reacted faster than secondary alcohols under these conditions, and protected tyrosine and serine were phosphinothioated with minimal racemization. Tetraphenyldiphosphine dioxide also underwent the P–O bond formation reaction.