A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton-Todd-type reaction under open air.

A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton-Todd-type reaction using air as the radical initiator and CHCl3 as the halogenating reagent for the phosphorylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines has been developed. This novel transformation provides a highly efficient route to important phosphinates, phosphinic amides, and phosphoramidates in up to 99% yield with a broad substrate scope under very mild conditions (48 examples).