Synthesis of phosphetane derivatives

Phosphetane derivatives are a class of four-membered saturated phosphorus-containing heterocycles and have been widely applied as phosphorus-containing chiral ligands in asymmetric catalytic organic reactions. Synthetic methods for phosphetane derivatives are divided mainly into double nucleophilic substitutions, electrophilic addition of phospheniums to olefins and subsequent cyclization, electrophilic ring expansions of cyclopropanes and phosphiranes, cycloaddition and electrocyclic reaction, etc. The scope, limitation, regio- and stereoselectivities, and proposed reaction mechanisms are also discussed for some methods. Further development for preparation of phosphetane derivatives and their application are also prospected.