Physical properties:
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow liquid
Molecular Formula:
Molecular Weight: 138.1 g/mol
Density: 1.072 g/mL at 25 °C
Boiling Point: 50-51 °C at 2 mmHg; 188 °C at atmospheric pressure
Melting Point: -70 °C
Flash Point: 90 °C
Refractive Index: 1.407 at 20°C
Solubility: Soluble in water
Stability: Stable, but combustible
Synonyms:
- Diethyl phosphonate
- Diethoxyphosphine oxide
- Phosphonic acid, diethyl ester
- Diethyl acid phosphite
- Diethyl hydrogen phosphite
- Phosphorous acid, diethyl ester
- Ethyl phosphonate
Uses:
Diethyl phosphite is the organophosphorus compound used as a phosphorylating agent in organic synthesis. : D 2833 (OTTO) Diethyl phosphite, 98% Cas 762-04-9 – used for the catalytic asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of enones in the presence of a dinuclear zinc complex to form γ-oxo-phosphonates.
Key Applications:
Pharmaceutical Synthesis: Used as a precursor for generating phosphonate analogues of nucleosides, which are used as antiviral and anticancer agents. It is also involved in the synthesis of compounds with potential applications in bone disease treatment.
Agrochemical Development: Serves as a building block for producing organophosphorus pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides.
Chemical Synthesis Reagent:
Alpha-Aminophosphonates: Used in condensation reactions with aldehydes or ketones and an amine to form Alpha-aminophosphonates, particularly under solvent-free conditions.
Hydrophosphonylation: Used in the catalytic asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of enones to form Ghama-oxo-phosphonates.
Michael Addition: Acts as a reagent in the Michael addition to Alpha,Beta-unsaturated malonates to create Beta-phosphonomalonates.
Reduction Reactions: Used for the reduction of gem-dibromo derivatives to monobromocyclopropanes.
Ligand in Catalysis: In combination with 4-dimethylaminopyridine, it acts as a ligand for nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl and heteroaryl bromides, chlorides, or sulfonates with arylzinc reagents.
Material Science and Industry: Used in the development of flame retardants, specialized polymers for enhanced durability, and as a stabilizer in oil and chemical manufacturing.
Laboratory Applications: Utilized as a phosphorylation agent to introduce phosphonate groups into organic molecules.
Diethyl Phosphite is an organophosphorus compound commonly used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The CAS number of Diethyl Phosphite is 762-04-9, which uniquely identifies this chemical compound.





