Five- and six-membered cyclic nitroxides containing α-ketophosphonates were obtained
from the corresponding paramagnetic acyl chlorides via the Arbuzov reaction, while
those containing β-ketophosphonates were obtained from the appropriate 1-alkynylphosphonates
via PdCl2-catalyzed hydration. These new paramagnetic phosphorus compounds proved
to be useful reagents in C–C and C=C bond-forming reactions and in functional group
transformation reactions, namely, reduction, phospha-Brook rearrangement, and Regitz
diazo transfer reactions. The synthesis of a paramagnetic geminal bisphosphonate was
also reported.