Conformational Analysis of the 1,3‐Oxaphosphorinanes Formed from α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes and the (Hydroxymethyl)phosphines RP(CH2OH)2 (R = Ph or CH2OH)

Equimolar reactions of cinnamaldehyde or its 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxy derivative (sinapaldehyde) with RP(CH₂OH)₂ (R = Ph or CH₂OH) were studied in MeOH or CD₃OD at room temperature by NMR spectroscopy. In MeOH, nucleophilic attack of the phosphine at the C?C bond, with concomitant loss of CH₂O, affords the tertiary phosphine HOCH₂P(R)CH(Ar)CH₂CHO ( 3 ) that rapidly converts mainly into a 1,3‐oxaphosphorinane derivative ( 5 ) formed as a mixture of four diastereomers. Conformational analysis reveals that the Ar group in these is exclusively in an equatorial position while the OH and R groups can be equatorial‐oriented or axial‐oriented. In CD₃OD, 1,3‐oxaphosphorinanes monodeuterated in the C5 position are obtained as a mixture of eight diastereomers where the dominate diastereomers have an axial D‐atom. Diastereomeric ratios depend on the nature of the Ar and R groups.