Hypophosphite addition to alkenes under solvent-free and non-acidic aqueous conditions.

Hypophosphite adds to alkenes in high yields under solvent-free conditions at elevated temperature, including α,β-unsaturated carboxylates. The reaction proceeds by a radical mediated pathway. Hypophosphite addition is also effective under non-acidic aqueous conditions employing radical initiators. These methods complement other hypophosphite addition reactions and simplify the synthesis of polyfunctional H -phosphinates.