An efficient synthesis of dialkyl 2-(diphenoxyphosphoryl)-3-(alkylthio)succinates from alkylthiols, triphenyl phosphite and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates

An efficient synthesis of dialkyl 2-(diphenoxyphosphoryl)-3-(alkylthio)succinates, as a mixture of two diastereomers, in 78–90% yields, is described via reaction between alkylthiols, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and triphenyl phosphite. The structures of products were deduced from their high-field ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectra, and IR spectral data. Since these hosphonate esters possess two stereogenic centers, two diastereomers with gauche HCCH arrangements are possible. Observation of ³ J _HH = 3.5-4.6 Hz for the vicinal methine protons confirmed the dominance of the gauche arrangement. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of products.