The asymmetric synthesis of chiral cyclic α-hydroxy phosphonates and quaternary cyclic α-hydroxy phosphonates.

A highly practical, catalytic enantioselective cyclic phosphite addition to aldehydes and ketones was developed. The reaction rate of the asymmetric hydrophosphonylation was significantly enhanced by the addition of silver carbonate. Particularly, significant improvement has been achieved on the asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of unactivated ketones, giving quaternary α-hydroxy phosphonates with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee).