Cu/Fe-Cocatalyzed Formation of β-Ketophosphonates by a Domino Knoevenagel-Decarboxylation-Oxyphosphorylation Sequence from Aromatic Aldehydes and H-Phosphonates.

A domino Knoevenagel-decarboxylation-alkene difunctionalization sequence has been developed for the conversion of benzaldehydes into β-ketophosphonates, catalyzed by a cooperative Cu/Fe system, whereby C-P and C=O bonds are formed simultaneously in a one-pot reaction. The reaction proceeds in good yields and with a broad substrate scope and environmentally benign conditions.