Stereospecific conversion of cyclic phosphorothioates into chlorophosphates

The reaction of the individual diastereoisomeric cyclic phosphorothioates 2a, 2b in the trans-2,4,7-trioxa-3-phosphabicyclo (4.4.0) decane and 4a, 4b in the trans-2,4,7-trioxa-3-phosphabicyclo (4.3.0) nonane series with sulphuryl chloride affords the corresponding sulphenyl chlorides 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b with retention of the configuration of the phosphorus atom. The reaction of the latter with phosphorus trichloride leads stereospecifically to the chlorophosphates 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b with full retention of configuration at phosphorus.