Electrophilic Fluorination of Secondary Phosphine Oxides and Its Application to P-O Bond Construction.

A novel and efficient electrophilic fluorination of secondary phosphine oxides with Selectfluor has been achieved. This transformation provides direct access to phosphoric fluorides in up to 92% yield under mild conditions. In addition, P-O bond construction via a one-pot coupling process of secondary phosphine oxides with water or alcohols in the presence of Selectfluor leads to the formation of phosphinic acids or phosphinates in up to 96% yield.