Mechanistic investigations of the formation of TTF derivatives via the phosphonate way

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00061-6

We studied the influence of acetic acid concentration on the deamination and dephogphonylation of the adduct resulting of the nucleophilic reaction between adequate α-metalated phosphonate and imminium salt, to enhance the yield of such reactions in order to access efficiently a lot of unsymmetrical TTF derivatives. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of TTF, including steps, i₁ to i₇. The potential concurrent formation of phosphonate 1 and other by-products is also discussed.