Silver(I)-catalyzed highly para -selective phosphonation of 2-aryloxazolines.

A silver-catalyzed phosphonation of 2-aryloxazolines has been accomplished. This protocol provides highly regioselective access to para -phosphonation products with good functional group tolerance and moderate to good yields via cross-dehydrogenation coupling. Mechanistic studies have shown that para -phosphonation products are obtained via a radical pathway. Furthermore, the directing oxazoline group in the para -phosphonation products is removable and can be converted to benzoic esters.