Synthesis of pillar[5]arenes with a PH-containing fragment

The reactions of phosphorus(III) chloride and 2-chloro-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with monohydroxypillar[5]arene afforded for the first time the corresponding PH-phosphonates. It was found that the newly formed P–O(Ar) bond is characterized by considerably reduced reactivity, which was rationalized by essential shielding of the phosphorus atom by the pillar[5]arene macrocycle. The pillar[5]arene scaffold stabilizes the highly reactive PIII–Cl fragment, so that the formation of macrocyclic dichlorophosphite can be detected under normal conditions.