Studies on highly regio- and stereoselective fluorohydroxylation reaction of 3-aryl-1,2-allenyl phosphine oxides with Selectfluor

The fluorohydroxylation of allenyl phosphine oxides with Selectfluor in commercial MeCN without prior treatment or a mixed solvent of anhydrous MeCN (refluxed over CaH₂ and distilled before use) and 7.0 equiv of H₂O or MeNO₂/H₂O=10/1 afforded 2-fluoro-3-hydroxy-1(E)-alkenyl diphenyl phosphine oxides in moderate yields with very high regio- and stereoselectivities. The E-stereoselectivity is believed to be controlled by the phosphine oxide functionality. In the reaction of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propadienyl diphenyl phosphine oxide, further fluorination on the electron-rich phenyl ring was also observed.