# Photoinduced cobaloxime catalysis enabled dehydrogenative C2-phosphinylation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes to access phosphorylated cyclobutenes

## TL;DR

Scientists developed a new light-driven method to modify a type of chemical compound using a catalyst, enabling efficient and selective synthesis of phosphorylated cyclobutenes.

## Contribution

A novel photoinduced cobaloxime catalysis method for dehydrogenative C2-phosphinylation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes is introduced.

## Key findings

- The reaction operates under mild conditions with high site-selectivity and good yields.
- Hydrogen evolution is observed as a byproduct of the phosphinylation process.
- Mechanistic studies suggest isomerization and dehydrogenative allylic phosphinylation as key steps.

## Abstract

A photoinduced ring-opening radical C2-phosphinylation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with secondary phosphine oxides by cobaloxime catalysis is described. This reaction features mild conditions, wide substrate scope, and high site-selectivities, producing a diverse range of phosphorylated cyclobutenes in good yields with hydrogen evolution. The mechanism studies indicate that this reaction likely proceeds through a bicyclo[1.1.0]butane isomerization and dehydrogenative allylic phosphinylation process.

A ring-opening radical C2-phosphinylation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with secondary phosphine oxides is developed by visible-light-induced cobaloxime catalysis.