Synthesis of functionalized organophosphorus analogs of β-phenylalanine

A convenient synthesis of organophosphorus analogs of β-phenylalanine containing functionalized 2-phenylethylphosphonous and 2-phenylethylphosphinic acid moieties has been developed. The radical addition of bis(trimethylsiloxy)phosphine to styrene, trimethylsilyl cinnamate, or arylacetylenes proceeds regioselectively to give a variety of substituted 2-phenylethylphosphonites, and the subsequent functionalization affords various derivatives of the target acids. The resulting compounds are of interest as promising biologically active compounds and water-soluble ligands.