An Oxathiaphospholane Approach to One-pot Phosphorothioylation of Isoprenoid Alcohols

Allyl, isopentenyl, geranyl, citronellyl, farnesyl, and phytyl alcohols were transformed in good yield (>60%) into their phosphorothioates via a DBU-assisted 1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane ring-opening condensation with 2-(2-cyanoethoxy)-2-thiono-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane, a reagent that is stable and easy to handle, followed by subsequent removal of the 2-cyanoethyl group from the intermediate phosphorothioate diester under basic conditions.