DMSO-Catalyzed\nDouble P–O Bond or Double P–S\nBond Formations of Phosphinic Acids

A DMSO-catalyzed double P–O bond or double P–S\nbond\nformation of phosphinic acid with an <i>O</i>- or <i>S</i>-containing nucleophile has been developed. Under metal-free\nand mild conditions, this simple procedure provides a compatible and\nrapid access to a variety of phosphonates and dithiophosphates. The\nDFT calculation of stabilization energy (SE) and the mechanism studies\ndemonstrated that the “just right” Lewis base property\nand the relatively “soft” interaction strength with\nthe phosphenium-dication ensure the unique catalytic activity of DMSO\nin this transformation.