An improved synthesis of di(1-adamantyl)alkylphosphines by alkylation of di(1-adamantyl)phosphine followed by deprotonation of the resulting phosphonium halide is described. Compared to previous protocols for the synthesis of this class of compounds, the procedure does not require chlorination of the secondary phosphine by phosgene, or formation of sensitive lithium di(1-adamantyl)phosphide. Selected examples of the prepared phosphonium salts and phosphines are shown to be excellent ligands for the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of chloroarenes with arylboronic acids.
adamantylphosphines - aryl chlorides - palladium - phosphine ligands - Suzuki reaction