Reaction of isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate with 1-phenylbutane-1,2,3-trione 2-oxime

Abstract

The reaction of isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate with 1-phenylbutane-1,2,3-trione 2-oxime in aqueous solution has been studied. It is proposed that the initial product of the reaction is the phosphonylated oxime which then reacts rapidly with either hydroxide ion to produce one mole of hydrogen cyanide or with the oxime anion to produce two moles of hydrogen cyanide. The immediate precursor of the hydrogen cyanide is benzoyl cyanide. The kinetic equations representing these reactions are complex and an analogue computer was necessary for their solution and in the extraction of the various rate constants from the experimental data.