A neighbouring group effect leading to enhanced nucleophilic substitution of amines at the hindered α-carbon atom of an α-hydroxyphosphonate

Diethyl α-hydroxy-benzylphosphonate undergoes nucleophilic substitution with primary amines of sufficient reactivity at around 100 °C to afford the corresponding α-aminophosphonates. The substitution can be enhanced by microwave irradiation. The reaction takes place with surprising ease due to the neighbouring group effect of the PO moiety as was justified by DFT calculations carried out to evaluate the mechanism of the substitution under discussion.