On the discovery and development of tandem 1,4- and 1,2-addition of phosphites to 1-azadienes

Over the past 15 years we have developed a one-step protocol for the synthesis of 3-phosphonylated aminophosphonates from alpha,beta-unsaturated imines through tandem 1,4-1,2-phosphite addition. This account covers the initial development, mechanistic implications of using different phosphite nucleophiles and the expansion towards oximes, hydrazones and unsaturated imines included in aromatic sextets, e. g. quinolines, phenanthrolines and napthyridines.