“On-Water” Synthesis of Sterically Congested γ-Ketophosphine Oxides Featuring a CF₃- and P(O)-Tetrasubstituted Carbon Center

The distinctive hydrophobic hydration effect in the aqueous solution contributes to the success of the phospha-Michael reaction between β-CF₃-β,β-disubstituted enones and diarylphosphine oxides, providing an access to biologically relevant γ-ketophosphine oxides bearing a sterically highly congested CF₃- and P(O)-tetrasubstituted carbon center. More importantly, the resulting products could be further transformed into densely functionalized γ-ketophosphine oxides containing a CF₃- and P(O)-tetrasubstituted carbon center.