Copper-Catalyzed and Air-Mediated Mild Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Aryl Thioureas and Dialkyl H-Phosphonates: The Synthesis of Thiophosphonates.

A copper-catalyzed and air-mediated mild cross-dehydrogenative coupling of aryl thioureas and dialkyl H-phosphonates to produce thiophosphonates has been reported. Without addition of base or acid, air as an oxidant, the phosphorylation occurred smoothly to give the target products in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature. The protocol allows the direct formation of a sulfur-phosphorus bond, tolerates a series of functional groups, and shows potential synthetic value for the synthesis of a diversity of thiophosphonates.