Diastereoselective ring-closing metathesis: synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphinates from prochiral phosphinic acid derivatives

[reaction: see text] The preparation of phosphorus-containing trienes featuring two diastereotopic vinyl moieties followed by a diastereoselective ring-closing metathesis is described. This methodology allowed for the synthesis of novel highly functionalized P-stereogenic heterocycles featuring both an exo- and an endocyclic double bond. An investigation into the factors influencing the diastereochemical outcome of the ring-closing metathesis is also presented, revealing that the geometry of the double bonds conjugated to phosphorus is important and that 1,3-stereoinduction is superior to 1,4-stereoinduction for these reactions.