The [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD)
and the P=O moiety of cyclic P-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) phosphine oxides
giving an entry to oxaphosphetes is of general value and extended to cyclic
and alicyclic phosphine oxides with different trialkylphenyl substituents
on the phosphorus atom. The structures of the products obtained by the [2+2
] cycloaddition have been studied by semiempirical quantum chemical calcula
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