Expeditious Synthesis of bis-(α-hydroxyalkyl)phosphinic Acid Using N-O-bis (trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA)

Highly efficient, synthetic procedure for bis-(α-hydroxyalkyl)phosphinic acids is described using N-O-bis( trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA). Various substituted aldehydes undergo the addition of hypophosphorous acid in good to excellent yields. Operational simplicity, high yield and shorter reaction time are the key features associated with this protocol.