A solution of Methyl 4-((diethoxyphosphoryl)methyl)benzoate (2.02 g, 7.05 mmol) and terepthaldehyde (0.462 g, 3.44 mmol) in THF (12 mL) was added to a suspension of NaOMe (1.12 g, 20.6 mmol) in THF (70 mL). The reaction was stirred under nitrogen for four hours and was then neutralized with 1M HCl. The resulting suspension was filtered, the collected solid was washed with THF, EtOH, and H2O, then allowed to dry under vacuum to give a yellow solid (1.15 g, 2.88 mmol, 84%). Characterization data matches literature. J. C. Sancho-García, et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 109:4872-4880 (2005).
