Stereoselective synthesis of P-stereogenic aminophosphines: ring opening of bulky oxazaphospholidines.

A highly diastereoselective and efficient synthesis of P-stereogenic bulky alkyl and aryl aminophosphines that relies on ring opening of tert-butyl-oxazaphospholidine 2 is described. Ring opening with several organometallic reagents takes place with inversion of configuration at the phosphorus center as it has been demonstrated by X-ray analysis of two ring-opened intermediates. The unprecedented reactivity observed is attributed to the presence of a free NH functionality that facilitates the attack of the organometallic reagent in an S(N)2@P-type process.