Direct functionalization of white phosphorus by organolithium reagents to organophosphorus compounds
Jingyuan Hu, Wei Liu, Wen‐Xiong Zhang
Abstract
The direct synthesis of organophosphorus compounds from white phosphorus (P4) has very important scientific significance and application value. The review focuses on the direct functionalization of white phosphorus by organolithium reagents to organophosphorus compounds, including three parts: (i) the development of P4 functionalization by organo-mono-lithium reagents, and the recent breakthroughs for the synergistic activation strategy of Lewis acid and organo-mono-lithium reagents; (ii) the new discovery of organo-di-lithium reagents mediated P4 activation, including the aggregation states of products, reaction mechanism and derivatization reactions; and (iii) modes of organolithium reagents mediated P4 activation. This timely review will accelerate the development of P4 functionalization for the construction of organophosphorus compounds.