Synthesis of acylphosphine sulfides by rhodium-catalyzed reaction of acid fluorides and diphosphine disulfides

A rhodium complex catalyzed the reaction of acid fluorides and tetraethyldiphosphine disulfide giving acylphosphine sulfides. Aromatic acid fluorides with electron donating p-groups reacted smoothly giving the products in high yields. Aliphatic acid fluorides with secondary and tertiary α-carbons were also converted to alkanoylphosphine sulfides, whereas the reaction of a substrate with an α-methylene carbon was accompanied by enol ester formation.