Intermolecular hydrophosphination of alkynes and related carbon[bond]carbon multiple bonds catalyzed by organoytterbiums.

Intermolecular hydrophosphination of alkynes with diphenylphosphine is catalyzed by a Yb[bond]imine complex, [Yb(eta(2)-Ph(2)CNPh)(hmpa)(3)], to give alkenylphosphines and phosphine oxides after oxidative workup in good yields under mild conditions. This reaction is also applicable to various carbon[bond]carbon multiple bonds such as conjugated diynes and dienes, allenes, and styrene derivatives. Regio- and stereoselectivity and the scope and limitation of the present reaction clearly differ from those of the corresponding radical reaction. Instead, the reaction takes place through insertion of alkynes to a Yb[bond]PPh(2) species, followed by protonation. In fact, the Yb[bond]phosphido complex, [Yb(PPh(2))(2)(hmpa)(3)], is obtained from the imine complex and phosphine, which exhibits similar catalyst activity for the hydrophosphination. The empirical rate law is nu = k[catalyst](2) [alkyne](1)[phosphine](0) at least under the standard conditions.