Copper-catalyzed α-amination of phosphonates and phosphine oxides: a direct approach to α-amino phosphonic acids and derivatives.

A direct approach to important α-amino phosphonic acids and its derivatives has been developed by using copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of α-phosphonate zincates with O-acyl hydroxylamines. This amination provides the first example of CN bond formation which directly introduces acyclic and cyclic amines to the α-position of phosphonates in one step. The reaction is readily promoted at room temperature with as little as 0.5 mol % of catalyst, and demonstrates high efficiency on a broad substrate scope.