It is well-known that the P-acids including phosphonic acids resist undergoing direct esterification. However, it was found that a series of alkylphoshonic acids could be involved in monoesterification with C2–C4 alcohols under microwave (MW) irradiation in the presence of [bmim][BF4] as an additive. The selectivity amounted to 80–98%, while the isolated yields fell in the range of 61–79%. The method developed is a green method for P-acid esterification. DFT calculations at the M062X/6–311+G (d,p) level of theory (performed considering the solvent effect of the corresponding alcohol) explored the three-step mechanism, and justified a higher enthalpy of activation (160.6–194.1 kJ·mol−1) that may be overcome only by MW irradiation. The major role of the [bmim][BF4] additive is to increase the absorption of MW energy. The specific chemical role of the [BF4] anion of the ionic liquid in an alternative mechanism was also raised by the computations.
The surface mediated synthesis of unsymmetrical O,O’- dialkyl alkyl pyrophosphonates from O-alkyl alkylphosphonic acid is described. These pyrophosphonates are listed in schedule 2B4 of Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC). The effect of the presence of chromatographic grade of Al2O3on the phosphorylation of a series of alkyl phosphonic acids has also been investigated. For phosphonic acids having different alkyl groups, it was observed that higher yields of the more hindered pyrophosphonates were formed in the presence of Al2O3. This method has an advantage over the conventional methods in terms of easy work-up, reduced reaction time and high yields.