Silver-catalyzed radical ring-opening of cycloalkanols for the synthesis of distal acylphosphine oxides

A novel silver-catalyzed ring-opening approach for the regioselective synthesis of distal acylphosphine oxides is described. A variety of distal acylphosphine oxides were prepared from the reaction of tertiary cycloalkanols (4 to 6-membered) and phosphine oxides. The mechanistic studies reveal a pathway involving the cross-coupling of alkyl and phosphorous-centered radicals.