A process for the conversion of hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2, HPA) and alcohols into various H‐phosphonate diesters [(RO)2P(O)H] is described. The new reaction provides a missing bridge between HPA and important H‐phosphonates, completely avoiding the use of PCl3. Nickel chloride or nickel on silica catalyze the oxidative phosphorylation of alkyl phosphinates with various alcohols or water. The reaction is atom economic and avoids the formation of waste products. The previous need for both chlorine and base is completely avoided.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.