Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of ketones with P(O)–H compounds leading to β-ketophosphine oxides

A facile and efficient copper-catalyzed one-pot method for the construction of β-ketophosphine oxides has been developed via aerobic oxidative coupling of various ketones with P(O)–H compounds assisted by TBSOTf (t-butyldimethylsilyl triflate). Through this methodology, a series of β-ketophosphine oxides can be easily obtained in moderate to good yields with favorable functional group tolerance under very mild conditions. Isotope-labeling experiments suggested that the carbonyl oxygen atom of β-ketophosphine oxides originated from dioxygen.