Syntheses of heteraphosphacyclanes: Follow the guide!

Phosphorus heterocycles have been extensively studied over the past 100 years, yet for many chemists some of the most useful synthetic routes to these cycles remain unknown. These phosphorus-containing compounds have long been seen as the holy grail for the chemical industries, promising not only better physical-chemical properties and novelty in terms of intellectual property, but also for academic researchers intrigued by their challenging accessibility. Every chemist who has worked with phosphorus derivatives knows that this heteroatom is always a great source of surprises and can often lead to ground-breaking findings. This review aims to guide readers through the various synthetic routes for the formation of monocyclic pentavalent phosphorus heterocycles of key importance in the development of future new and original chemical entities.