An Organocatalytic Mitsunobu Reaction

Alcohols are abundant feedstock compounds and synthetic intermediates but are challenging to use directly as electrophiles in substitution reactions. The Mitsunobu reaction achieves this goal; however, the phosphine and azodicarboxylate reagents, as well as the stoichiometric waste products, can be hazardous. The Denton laboratory has developed a redox-neutral version of the Mitsunobu reaction where azodicarboxylates are not required and water is the only by-product.