Phosphoryl transfer promoted by nitriles in the presence of highly reactive halides

Abstract

Nitriles, e.g. acetonitrile and benzonitrile slowly react at elevated temperatures with mono-substituted phosphoric acids to give sym-pyrophosphates. Prior addition of a highly reactive halide, e.g. a chloromethyl ether or thioether, gives rise to a much more effective phosphoryl transfer. Both anhydrides and esters can be generated in this way.