Alcoholysis of Dialkyl Phosphites Under Microwave Conditions

Depending on the conditions, the alcoholysis of simple dialkyl phosphites [(RO)2P(O)H] under microwave conditions may result in the formation of mixed derivative [(RO)(R'O)P(O)H] and the fully transesterified species [(R'O)2P(O)H] in different ratios. On one hand, this may be a method of choice for the preparation of less common dialkyl phosphites with alkyl chains of higher carbon atom number, on the other hand, the mixed derivatives are valuable building-blocks due to the chiral phosphorus atom. The thermal accomplishments led, in most cases, to uncomplete conversions.