Hydrophosphorylation of Alkenes with Dialkyl Phosphites Catalyzed by Mn(III) under Air

A facile method for the synthesis of organophosphonates from alkenes and dialkyl phosphites was developed by the use of Mn(II) under air. Thus, the reaction of 1-octene with diethyl phosphite in the presence of Mn(OAc)2 (5 mol %) under air at 90 degrees C led to diethyl octylphosphonate (78%) and diethyl (2-hexyl)decylphosphonate (6%). Internal alkenes such as cis-2-octene gave a regioisomeric mixture of the corresponding hydrophosphorylation products in 84% yields.