Directed ortho lithiation of diphenylphosphinic acid and subsequent electrophilic trapping provides mono ortho-functionalized derivatives including enantiopure γ-aminophosphinic acids in moderate yields. Copper catalyzed coupling of the ortho anion leads to biphenyl-2, 2′-diylbis (phenylphosphinic acid), a phosphorus analogue of biphenyl-2, 2′-dicarboxylic acid. Preliminary studies of the metal-binding abilities of this O, O-chelating ligand towards ...
