Phosphorylation of Alcohols and Phosphates by Oxidation-Reduction Condensation

Abstract
Phosphorylation of alcohols and phosphates forming mixed esters of phosphoric acid and pyrophosphate by the oxidation-reduction condensation with triphenylphosphine and 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfide has been investigated. n-Butyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate was obtained in 80% yield when p-nitrophenyl dihydrogen phosphate was treated with one equiv. each of triphenylphosphine and 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfide in the presence of three equiv. of anhydrous n-butyl alcohol at room temperature. It was found that P1,P2-bis(p-nitrophenyl)pyrophosphate was obtained in 91% yield when p-nitrophenyl dihydrogen phosphate was treated with 1.5 equiv. each of triphenylphosphine and 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfide.