Formaldehyde → Diethyl phosphonomethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

The procedure of Kluge was followed (Org. Syn. 1986, Vol. 64, 80-84). The following ingredients were combined: 69 g (0.50 mol) of diethyl phosphite, 15 g (0.50 mol) of paraformaldehyde, and 5.1 g (0.05 mol) of triethylamine. The stirred mixture was immersed in a preheated oil bath at 120° C. and heated for one hour. Upon cooling, the triethylamine was removed on the rotary evaporator at 80° C., and the residue was then distilled bulb-to-bulb (150-160° C., 0.10 mm) to provide 57.5 g (68%) of title compound as a colorless liquid.

Provenance & Evidence