Formaldehyde → Diisopropyl hydroxymethylphosphonate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 33.2 g (0.20 mol) of diisopropyl phosphite, 2.8 ml (0.02 mol) of triethylamine, and 6.0 g (0.20 mol) of paraformaldehyde, was immersed in a 100° C. oil bath and then heated between 100°-120° C. for 45 minutes under nitrogen. An exotherm occurred within 10 minutes and all of the paraformaldehyde dissolved rapidly. The triethylamine was removed at reduced pressure, and the residue was bulb-to-bulb distilled in four portions to provide a total of 35.17 g (91%) of title compound as a colorless oil. TLC Silica gel (5:95 CH3OH:CH2Cl2) Rf =0.17

Provenance & Evidence