Phosphorochloridate

In chemistry, a phosphorochloridate is a class of organophosphorus compounds with the formula (RO)₂P(O)Cl (R = organic substituent). They are tetrahedral in shape, akin to regular phosphates (OP(OR)₃). They are usually colorless and sensitive toward hydrolysis. They are oxidized derivatives of phosphorochloridites, which have the formula (RO)₂PCl. A popular example is diethyl phosphorochloridate.

Synthesis and reactions

Phosphochloridites are precursors to phosphate esters:^[1]

(RO)₂P(O)Cl + R'OH → (R'O)(RO)₂P(O) + HCl

Other nucleophiles have been employed, such as azide.^[2]