Chlorosilane-Catalyzed Coupling of Hydrogen Phosphine Oxides with Acyl Chlorides Generating Acylphosphine Oxides.

We report a new method for the synthesis of acylphosphine oxides by the direct coupling of hydrogen phosphine oxides and acyl chlorides mediated by chlorosilanes. This new protocol is greener and safer, because it precludes the generation of volatile haloalkanes and the use of oxidants employed in the conventional methods. Moreover, moisture-unstable acylphosphine oxides that are difficult to prepare via the conventional methods can be generated using this new method.