Organophosphorus catalytic reaction based on reduction of phosphine oxide

The special electronic configuration of phosphorus atoms endows organophosphorus reagents with unique chemical properties, which enable them to be used to catalyze various organic reactions, such as the Wittig reaction, Staudinger reaction, Appel reaction and Mitsunobu reaction. However, the catalytic process will be accompanied by the generation of large amounts of phosphine oxide waste, resulting in the reduction of atom utilization of the reaction, and it is difficult to separate the product. Therefore, it is essential to explore a greener and more sustainable organic synthesis route based on the catalytic cycle of phosphine oxide as a model. This paper summarizes the catalytic cycle and recycling of phosphorus with or without reducing agents and reviews the related developments in recent decades: from the addition of stoichiometric strong reducing agents, to the design of ring phosphines with specific structures, to the development of new energy inputs (electrochemistry), to the addition of a series of compounds to activate the P(V)O double bond, driving the catalytic cycle of phosphine oxide through chemical transformation. This review also points out the development potential of this field in the future, which will promote its development and progress in a greener direction.