Trifluoromethylphosphonic acid

Finally, to conclude this chapter, passing reference may be made to certain perfluoro derivatives of organo-phosphorus compounds that have recently been prepared. The starting point is trifluoroiodomethane, CF3I, prepared from trifluoro-acetic acid and iodine. The interaction of phosphorus and trifluoroiodomethane at about 200° gives P(CF3)3, P(CF3)2l and P(CF3)l2. The first of these compounds is a spontaneously inflammable liquid which reacts smoothly at —40° to give (CF3)gPCl2 in quantitative yield. When P(CF3)l2 is oxidatively hydrolysed trifluoromethylphosphonic acid, CF3-PO(OH)2, is obtained ... 

Trifluoromethylphosphonous acid is obtained by hydrolysis of the halophosphine, but its sodium salt is sodium trifluoromethyl phosphinate. 

The analogues adenosine 5 -0-trifluoromethylphosphonate (72) and 2 -0-deoxythymidine 3 -0-trifluoromethylphosphonate have been prepared from the bis-triazolide of trifluoromethylphosphinic acid which was obtained from trifluoromethylphosphorus dibromide. 

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