Synthesis of 3‑Arylbenzofuran-2-ylphosphines via Rhodium-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral C–H Activation and Their Applications in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aryl Chlorides

A new class of aryl-heteroarylphosphines, 3-arylbenzofuran-2-ylphosphines, was synthesized by [Cp*Rh­(III)]-catalyzed redox-neutral cyclization of N-phenoxyacetamides with 1-alkynylphosphine sulfides and oxides followed by reduction. This step-economic reaction proceeds in excellent regioselectivity with a broad substrate scope. The application of the resulting air-stable trivalent-phosphine containing dicyclohexylphosphino moiety in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and Buchwald–Hartwig amination of aryl chlorides is also described.