Chloromethyl Methyl Ether → Diethyl 1-(methoxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolylphosphonate

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of diethyl 2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolylphosphonate (3.61 g, 0.015 moles) in DMF (10 mL), under N2, is added sodium hydride (80% dispersion in oil) (0.55 g, 0.018 moles) and stirred for 5 minutes. Chloromethyl methyl ether (tech. grade 85%) (1.9 mL, 0.021 moles) is added. This mixture is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, diluted with ether and ethyl acetate (300 mL) and then washed with water and brine before drying over MgSO4. The aqueous layer is back extracted with methylene chloride and combined with the previous organic fraction. Evaporation of solvents and chromatography (eluant 1% methanol in chloroform) and evaporation under high vacuum affords the required product.

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