Phosphine-Catalyzed Reactions with Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Abstract

Organophosphines are versatile Lewis basic catalysts that have been confirmed as powerful tools in organic synthesis for the past two decades. The nucleophilic addition of organophosphines to electron-deficient species can be divided into two categories: phosphine-catalyzed and stoichiometric phosphine-mediated transformations. In this focus review, we summarize recent examples of phosphine-catalyzed addition and annulation reactions with allenoates and alkynoates. In addition, we discuss our recent efforts in the development of unusual phosphine-mediated alpha-addition reactions with enynedioates, enynoates, and oligoynoates and its application in novel functional fullerene derivatives as n-type materials in organic photovoltaics.