Abstract

This updated version of a 2008 review presents work in the still developing field of dehydrogenative coupling reactions of phosphines. Catalytic phosphorus–element bond formation via dehydrocoupling has rapidly expanded since the first discoveries in the mid 1990s. A survey of the available catalysts, P–P and P–E products, and mechanistic understanding is presented with emphasis on the emerging synthetic applications of this reaction.

Keywords: Dehydrocoupling, Phosphine, Heterodehydrocoupling, Bond-forming, Catalysis, Transition metal, micron-scale, Filtration, dihydroxylation, Stoichiometric, C–C bond activation, arylrhodium, stereoselectivities, tohormones