We report herein on the nickel-catalyzed methylation of arylphosphines using AlMe3 via the cleavage of unactivated C(aryl)–P bonds. This reaction allows for the direct, catalytic substitution of an aryl group on a phosphorus center with a methyl group. This catalytic methylation can proceed, when phosphine oxides and sulfides are used as a substrate.
ω-Haloalkylphosphine derivatives undergo the intramolecular nucleophilicsubstitution reaction upon treatment with a strong base, yielding either cycloalkylphosphine derivatives or heterocyclic phosphine derivatives. The selectivity of the cyclization of (ω-haloalkyl)alkylarylphosphine derivatives depends strongly on the distance between the electrophilic and nucleophilic carbon atoms and the structure of the phosphorus