It was recently reported that a (2-hydroxybenzyl)phosphine oxide (2-HOBPO) can serve as phosphorus-centered catalyst for the stereo-invertive coupling of aliphatic alcohols and acidic pronucleophiles (akin to Mitsunobu reaction, but without additional reagents). Herein, we report an improved synthesis, which provides direct access systematically varied 2-HOBPOs in single step from commercially ...