Synthesis of novel α-functionalized phosphinic acid derivatives of thiophene and the first crystal structure of an α-hydroxyalkylphosphinate

Reaction of 2,5-diformylthiophene with Ph2CHNH2 and hypophosphorus acid yields novel α-hydroxy- or α-amino-methylphosphinic acid derivatives depending on reaction conditions; the X-ray structure analysis of diphenylmethylammonium 5-formyl 2-thienyl(hydroxy)methylphosphinate provides the first direct structural information on the α-hydroxyalkylphosphinate class of compounds