Molybdenum trioxide catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of benzylic sp3 C-H bonds: Synthesis of α-aminophosphonates under aerobic conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.01.031

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) catalyzed efficient oxidative cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) method for C-H functionalization of N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines has been explored. This user-friendly method of synthesizing α-aminophosphonates employs 1.1 equiv of dialkyl-H- phosphonate under aerobic condition. Formation of new C-P bonds from unfunctionalized starting materials under environmentally benign conditions provides an excellent avenue for the synthesis of biologically active α-aminophosphonates.