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