Copper (II)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of H/P(O)R2 to alkynes

Cu(acac)₂ is the new universal catalyst for β-E regio- and stereoselective syn-addition of the H–P(O)-bond of diphenylphosphine oxide, H-phosphinates, dialkylphosphites to various alkynes in the synthesis of P(O)-containing alkenes. Without additives and ligands Cu(II)-compounds showed better results than CuI or Ni(acac)₂. The catalytic system developed is tolerant to typical organic functional groups present in the alkynes and to the nature of different substituents in the H–P(O)-compounds.