Transition metal-free and regioselective vinylation of phosphine oxides and H-phosphinates with VBX reagents.

A series of phosphine oxides and H-phosphinates were vinylated in the presence of the iodine(III) reagents vinylbenziodoxolones (VBX), providing the corresponding alk-1-enyl phosphine oxides and alk-1-enyl phosphinates in good yields with complete chemo- and regioselectivity. The vinylation proceeds in open flask under mild and transition metal-free conditions.