Z-Selective Preparation of β-Monosubstituted α,β-Unsaturated Amides Using Diphenylphosphonoacetamides

The Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction of diphenylphosphonoacetamides [(PhO) 2 P(O)CH 2 CONRR'] ( 2a : R, R' = CH 2 Ph; 2b : R = CH 2 Ph, R' = H; 2c : R = Me, R' = OMe) was examined. The reaction of 2a was found to be Z -selective for benzaldehyde with selectivities up to 94:6. Reagent 2b led to reasonable selectivity for both benzaldehyde (85:15) and 3-phenylpropionaldehyde (87:13), while 2c was somewhat effective only for the latter aldehyde (83:17).