Surface Mediated Synthesis of Unsymmetrical O,O-dialkyl Alkyl Pyrophosphonates using Neutral Alumina: Potential Chemical Weapons Convention Related Compounds

Abstract

The surface mediated synthesis of unsymmetrical O,O’- dialkyl alkyl pyrophosphonates from O-alkyl alkylphosphonic acid is described. These pyrophosphonates are listed in schedule 2B4 of Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC). The effect of the presence of chromatographic grade of Al2O3on the phosphorylation of a series of alkyl phosphonic acids has also been investigated. For phosphonic acids having different alkyl groups, it was observed that higher yields of the more hindered pyrophosphonates were formed in the presence of Al2O3. This method has an advantage over the conventional methods in terms of easy work-up, reduced reaction time and high yields.