ZnCl2-Mediated Double Addition of Dialkylphosphite to Nitriles for the Synthesis of 1-Aminobisphosphonates.

In this study, the double addition of dialkylphosphite to nitriles in a ZnCl2/Et3N system is described. The reaction was conveniently and directly used for the synthesis of biologically important 1-aminobisphosphonates (ABPs) from nitriles. The one-pot synthesis of 1-aminobisphosphonates from aldehydes via the in situ generation of nitriles is also described.