Dimethylphosphite
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.
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Preferred IUPAC name
Dimethyl phosphonate | |
Other names
Phosphonic acid, dimethyl ester | |
Identifiers | |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.011.622 |
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Properties | |
C2H7O3P | |
Molar mass | 110.049 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | colorless liquid |
Density | 1.20 g/cm3 |
Boiling point | 72–73 °C (162–163 °F; 345–346 K) 25 Torr |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
Although studies have not been reported for this compound, the closely related diethylphosphite exists predominantly as the phosphorus(V) tautomer.
This tautomeric nature of DMHP made it desirable as a precursor to the G-series compounds, and it was the most successful among all other phosphonate precursors. The now obsolete process, which used it as a precursor, was called the DMHP process, investigated by Otto Ambros' team and implemented to scale sarin production.