Dimethylphosphite

Dimethylphosphite

Dimethylphosphite

Chemical compound

Dimethylphosphite is an organophosphorus compound with the formula (CH3O)2P(O)H, known as dimethyl hydrogen phosphite (DMHP). Dimethylphosphite, is a minor tautomer of the phosphorus(V) derivative. It is a reagent for generating other organophosphorus compounds, exploiting the high reactivity of the P-H bond. The molecule is tetrahedral. It is a colorless liquid. The compounds can be prepared by methanolysis of phosphorus trichloride or by heating diethylphosphite in methanol.[1]

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Although studies have not been reported for this compound, the closely related diethylphosphite exists predominantly as the phosphorus(V) tautomer.[2]

This tautomeric nature of DMHP made it desirable as a precursor to the G-series compounds, and it was the most successful among all other phosphonate precursors.[3] The now obsolete process, which used it as a precursor, was called the DMHP process, investigated by Otto Ambros' team and implemented to scale sarin production.[4]

References

  1. [1]
    Balint, Erika; Tajti, Adam; Drahos, Laszlo; Ilia, Gheorge; Keglevich, Gyorgy (2013). "Alcoholysis of Dialkyl Phosphites Under Microwave Conditions". Current Organic Chemistry. 17 (5): 555–562. doi:10.2174/1385272811317050010.
  2. [2]
    Guthrie, J. Peter (1979). "Tautomerization Equilibria for Phosphorous Acid and its Ethyl Esters, Free Energies of Formation of Phosphorous and Phosphonic Acids and their Ethyl Esters, and p Ka Values for Ionization of the P—H Bond in Phosphonic Acid and Phosphonic Esters". Canadian Journal of Chemistry. 57 (2): 236–239. doi:10.1139/v79-039.
  3. [3]
    Sipri - Chemical Weapons: Destruction and Conversion. p 57-62
  4. [4]
    Mark A. Prelas, Dabir S. Viswanath,. Science and Technology of Terrorism and Counterterrorism, Second lllllEdition. p 341-342.
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