Nickel-catalyzed addition of P(O)-H bonds to propargyl alcohols: one-pot generation of phosphinoyl 1,3-butadienes.

[reaction: see text] Diphenylphosphine oxide and related P(O)H compounds react with propargyl alcohols at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ni(0) complex and Ph(2)P(O)OH to produce high yields of phosphinoyl 1,3-dienes though an efficient in situ dehydration process.