Metal-catalyzed phosphinyl ester forming reaction of alcohols and phenols with diphosphine disulfides and a dioxide

Transition metal complexes catalyzed the dialkylphosphinothioation reaction of alcohols and phenols with tetraalkyldiphosphine disulfides in high yields. Phenols were reacted in the presence of RhH(PPh₃)₄ and 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane under THF reflux, and alcohols with Pd(OAc)₂ and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene under chlorobenzene reflux. Primary alcohols reacted faster than secondary alcohols under these conditions, and protected tyrosine and serine were phosphinothioated with minimal racemization. Tetraphenyldiphosphine dioxide also underwent the P-O bond formation reaction.