Preparation of organophosphorus compounds

Tetramethyllead has been also put forward as an antishock additive for engine fuel. Comparison tests have shown that tetramethyllead is more efficient that tetraethyllead, especially in petrols with high content of aromatic hydrocarbons. Tetraalkyl lead derivatives can also be used in the production of lead alkylhalogenides and their derivatives. 

The raw stock for the synthesis of practically important organophosphorus compounds is phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus chlorooxide and phosphorus thiotrichloride. 

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In situ reaction of the resultant phosphine, converted to its conjugate base, with several types of electrophiles has been investigated for organophosphorus syntheses. While early reports of the use of white phosphorus in basic solution with haloalkanes did not in themselves provide procedures for the efficient preparation of organophosphorus compounds, they pointed the way for the development of more useful techniques. 

A particularly attractive route for the preparation of organophosphorus compounds would be direct from either red or white elemental phosphorus. However, the low reactivity with various reagents has precluded a more widespread use of this substance. Yields from these reactions tend to be rather low, and experimental conditions often necessitate high temperatures/ pressures.2... 

The identification of a naturally occurring phosphonate was by Horiguchi and Kandatsu [134], who identified 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid in an amino acid extract from a hydrolysate of rumen protozoal lipid. Subsequently, it has been shown that phosphonates occur naturally in a variety of organisms. Consequently, there is a growing need to develop new and efficient synthetic methods for preparation of organophosphorus compounds bearing a P-C bond. 

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