Organic Reactions in Water: A Distinct Novel Approach for an Efficient Synthesis of α-Amino Phosphonates Starting Directly from Nitro Compounds

A distinct approach for high-yielding synthesis of alpha-amino phosphonates has been discovered through three-component reaction of nitro compounds, aldehydes, or ketones and dialkyl or trialkyl phosphites using indium in dilute aqueous HCl at room temperature. This one-pot conversion consists of the following steps: (i) reduction of nitro compounds to amines, (ii) formation of imines from amines and carbonyl compounds, and (iii) hydrophosphonylation of imines.