Direct Aerobic Oxidative Esterification and Arylation of P(O)–OH Compounds with Alcohols and Diaryliodonium Triflates

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative esterification of P(O)–OH compounds is achieved using alcohols as efficient esterification reagents, giving the expected products with good to moderate yields. Furthermore, it is shown that the arylation of P(O)–OH compounds proceeds efficiently to produce the corresponding products via the treatment of diaryliodonium triflates under mild reaction conditions. It is a simple way to produce a broad spectrum of functionalized phosphinates, phosphonates, and phosphates from basic starting materials with good to excellent yields. The protocol is convenient for practical application. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the reaction.