Copper-Catalyzed P–H Insertions of α‑Imino Carbenes for the Preparation of 3‑Phosphinoylindoles

A highly
efficient P–H insertion of α-imino copper
carbene into H-phosphine oxides, leading to 3-phosphinoylindoles with
a broad substrate diversity and good chemoselectivity, is established.
This methodology provides a rapid and efficient approach for the C
(sp2)–P bond formation via the P–H insertion
strategy. The stereoselective P–H insertion of α-imino
copper carbene represents a unique example of asymmetric P–H
insertion, affording P-stereogenic 3-phosphinoylindoles with high
stereoselectivities.