Lanthanide Amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 Catalyzed Hydrophosphonylation of Aryl Aldehydes

Abstract
A highly efficient method for the synthesis of α-hydroxy phosphonates via lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 catalyzed hydrophosphonylation of aromatic aldehydes was developed. The reactions produced the products in excellent yields in the presence of 0.1 mol % [(Me3Si)2N]3La(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 at room temperature within 5 min. The existence of LiCl in the catalyst was a key factor affecting the catalytic activity. The mechanism for the process of high efficiency was proposed.