Efficient catalyst turnover in the phosphitylation of alcohols with phosphoramidites

We report a method for catalytic phosphitylation utilizing phosphoramidites. Traditionally, this reaction is inefficient unless an excess of catalyst is present due to catalyst deactivation by an amine by-product. Isocyanate additives have been evaluated for scavenging the amine to facilitate catalyst turnover. A variety of alcohols and phosphoramidites were screened with 5 mol % catalyst. In the presence of additive, 83–97% conversion was achieved in contrast to 7–31% conversion without additive.