Green synthesis of α-aminophosphonates using ZnO nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst

Synthesis of α-aminophosphonate derivatives via the Kabachnik–Fields reaction is described using 1-(6-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-1-benzofuran-yl)-1-ethanone, extracted from rhizomes of Petasites hybridus, primary amines and trialkyl phosphites in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles in water at room temperature. This procedure has advantages such as using natural products as precursors, employing water as a green solvent, good yields and easy separation of products.