A highly efficient and regioselective manganese-induced radical oxidative direct C−P bond formation between 2-pyridones and secondary phosphine oxides was developed. The C3-selective phosphinoylation was conveniently achieved through a combination of substoichiometric manganese and persulfate oxidant under mild conditions. Various 3-phosphinoylated pyridone products can be obtained in moderate to high yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction is likely to involve a radical pathway induced by catalytically active Mn3+ species.
