Rapid and Efficient Microwave-Assisted Hydrophosphinylation of Unactivated Alkenes with H-Phosphinic Acids without Added Metal or Radical Initiator

A microwave-assisted hydrophosphinylation of unactivated alkenes with phosphinic acid and its derivatives under metal-free and initiator-free conditions is reported. Such hydrophosphinylations are operationally simple, use aqueous hypophosphorus acid, H -phenylphosphinic acid, and H -alkylphosphinic acids, and seem to proceed by a radical mechanism. Good isolated yields were obtained using a reasonable excess of the appropriate reagent.