Csp3−PIII Bond Formation via Cross‐Coupling of Umpolung Carbonyls with Phosphine Halides Catalyzed by Nickel

Abstract A novel method for the formation of Csp 3 −P III bonds via the nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of Umpolung carbonyls and phosphine chlorides is reported herein. This process leads to a series of alkylphosphines, which are characterized as sulfides or borane‐phosphine complexes after undergoing further transformation with moderate to good yields. Invaluable free alkylphosphines can be easily obtained by desulfurization or deboration of the products. A possible mechanistic pathway is also discussed. This report represents the first example of using renewable carbonyls as latent organometallic reagent surrogates for cross‐coupling with heteroatom electrophiles.