Surface-Mediated Synthesis of O-Alkyl 2-Methoxyethyl Alkylphosphonates Under Solvent Free Conditions: Potential Marker of Nerve Agents

This article describes rapid and efficient surface mediated synthesis of O-alkyl 2-methoxyethyl alkylphosphonates from alkylphosphonic acids and alcohols using dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC)-Celite as a solid support. These compounds are markers of nerve agents. 2-Methoxyethyl methylphosphonic acids (2a–d) were reacted with various alcohols to yield O-alkyl 2-methoxyethyl alkylphosphonates (AMEAPs, 3a–m). This synthetic method has advantages over other methods in terms of selectivity, shorter reaction time, high yield, and easy work-up.