Ethylene Oxide → Butyl ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)phosphinate

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Reaction Steps

4.5 g (30 mmol) of butyl ethylphosphonite (produced as in Example 3) are dissolved in 30 ml of toluene and admixed at −78° C. with 12 ml (30 mmol) of a 2.5 molar solution of butyllithium in hexane. After stirring for 15 minutes 5.68 g (40 mmol) of boron trifluoride etherate are added and ethylene oxide is passed in followed by further reaction for two hours. Then, aqueous ammonium chloride solution is added followed by warming to room temperature. This is followed by concentrating in vacuo, taking up in diethyl ether, removal of insoluble salts by filtration and renewed concentrating. Chromatographic purification leaves 4.2 g (73% of theory) of butyl ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)phosphinate as oil.

Provenance & Evidence