Catalytic Cleavage of Unactivated C(aryl)-P Bonds by Chromium.

We describe here the coupling to transform aryl phosphine derivatives by the cleavage of unactivated C(aryl)-P bonds with chromium catalysis, allowing us to achieve the reaction with alkyl bromides and arylmagnesium reagents under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that catalytic cleavage of unactivated C(aryl)-P bonds is due to the in situ formed reactive Cr, followed by transmetalation and coupling with alkyl bromides.