Regio- and Stereoselective (SN2) N-, O-, C- and S-Alkylation using Trialkyl Phosphates

Bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (S N 2) is one of the most known fundamental reactions in organic chemistry to generate new molecules from two molecules. In principle, a nucleophile attacks from the back side of an alkylating agent having a suitable leaving group, most commonly using a halide. However, alkyl halides are expensive, very harmful, toxic and not so stable which makes them problematic for laboratory use. In contrast, trialkyl phosphates are cheap, readily accessible, stable at room temperature, under air, and are easy to handle but rarely used as alkylating agents in organic synthesis. Here, we describe a mild, straightforward and powerful method for nucleophilic alkylation of various nucleophiles such as N-, O-, C- and S- using readily available trialkyl phosphate. The reaction proceeds smoothly with excellent yield and quantitative yield in many cases and covers a wide range of substrates. Further, the rare stereoselective transfer of secondary alkyl groups has been achieved with inversion of configuration of chiral centers (up to >99% ee).

Selective N-Monoalkylation of Amide Derivatives with Trialkyl Phosphates

A highly selective and easily handled monoalkylation of primary amide derivatives by using trialkyl phosphates as alkylating reagents in cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) was developed. Various monoalkylated amide derivatives were efficiently synthesized by changing the alkyl moiety (e.g., methyl, ethyl, butyl, or benzyl) of the trialkyl phosphate. These phosphate reagents are relatively stable and easily available, and CPME is a useful solvent in process chemistry.

Trends in small angle neutron scattering of actinide–trialkyl phosphate complexes: a molecular insight into third phase formation

SANS as a molecular probe was used to investigate and quantify the aggregation tendency of metal complexes, facilitating the prediction of third phase formation.