Insertion of arynes into arylphosphoryl amide bonds: one-step simultaneous construction of C-N and C-P bonds.

The insertion of arynes into arylphosphoryl amide bonds to synchronously construct C-P and C-N bonds is described. Arynes generated in situ from o-triflate arylsilanes under fluoride-promoted conditions insert into relatively inert P-N bonds, producing o-amine-substituted arylphosphine oxides. This process provides a simple pathway for the preparation of precursors for a number of bidentate aminophosphine ligands.