Microwave-assisted alcoholysis of dialkyl phosphites by ethylene glycol and ethanolamine

Abstract

Abstract A study on the microwave-assisted alcoholysis of diethyl phosphite with ethylene glycol revealed that after optimization of the conditions (molar ratio, temperature and time), the target “monomer,” (HOCH2CH2O)2P(O)H was formed in a proportion of 59 %, but with an incomplete conversion. The formation of the (HOCH2CH2O)(EtO)P(O)H and H(EtO)(O)POCH2CH2OP(O)(OEt)H by-products was, in most cases, inevitable. The alcoholysis with ethanolamine was more efficient and took place in a conversion of 100 % to afford H2NCH2CH2O)2P(O)H in a proportion of 85 %. An alkyl substituent on the N-atom prevented the alcoholysis.