Dimethyl methylphosphonate

Synthesis

Dimethyl methylphosphonate can be prepared from trimethyl phosphite and a halomethane (e.g. iodomethane) via the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction.

Dimethyl methylphosphonate is a schedule 2 chemical as it may be used in the production of chemical weapons. It will react with thionyl chloride to produce methylphosphonic acid dichloride, which is used in the production of sarin and soman nerve agents. Various amines can be used to catalyse this process. It can be used as a sarin-simulant for the calibration of organophosphorus detectors.

Uses

The primary commercial use of dimethyl methylphosphonate is as a flame retardant. Other commercial uses are a preignition additive for gasoline, anti-foaming agent, plasticizer, stabilizer, textile conditioner, antistatic agent, and an additive for solvents and low-temperature hydraulic fluids. It can be used as a catalyst and a reagent in organic synthesis, as it can generate a highly reactive ylide. The yearly production in the United States varies between 100 and.

About 190 liters of dimethyl methylphosphonate, together with other chemicals, were released during the crash of El Al Flight 1862 at Bijlmer in Amsterdam in 1992.

References

References

1. "GESTIS-Stoffdatenbank".
2. (2019). "Solvent-Free Michaelis–Arbuzov Rearrangement under Flow Conditions". The Journal of Organic Chemistry.
3. Maier, Ludwig. (1990). "Organic Phosphorus Compounds 90.l A Convenient, One-Step Synthesis of Alkyl- and Arylphosphonyl Dichlorides". Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements.
4. "Product Stewardship Summary Dimethyl methylphosphonate". Ashland Global.
5. (2 October 1998). "Israel says El Al crash chemical 'non-toxic'". BBC.
6. Greenberg, Joel. (2 October 1998). "Nerve-Gas Element Was in El Al Plane Lost in 1992 Crash". [[The New York Times]].