Ionic Liquids and Water as “Green” Solvents in Organophosphorus Synthesis

The application of 'green' solvents such as ionic liquids and water is currently being vigorously pursued because of attractive features such as the acceleration of a variety of reactions, their non-toxic nature, the possibility of dissolving a variety of reactants and recyclability in the case of ionic liquids, and cheapness in the case of water. The present review summarizes and critically discusses the data accumulated in recent years on the utilization of these solvents in the field of the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. Ionic liquids and water were found to be especially suitable for P=O olefinations, synthesis of α- and β-aminophosphonates and some nucleophilic displacement reactions while in some cases they may change the reaction course observed in common organic solvents.