Hydrochloric Acid → Diethyl 2-hydroxyethoxymethanephosphonate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

15 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added in one portion to a solution of 1-acetoxy-2-(diethylphosphonomethoxy)ethane (76.5 g, 300 mmol) in 600 mL of absolute ethanol and the resulting mixture was heated at 55° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting clear liquid could be used without purification or purified by distillation (1.5 mmHg, 128°-132° C.) to give 52.1 g (82%) of 2-diethylphosphonomethoxy-1-ethanol.

Provenance & Evidence