Abstract
White phosphorus has been oxidized by copper (II) acetylacetonate, halides or carboxylates in aliphatic alcohols to yield dialkyl phosphates and trialkyl phosphates under inert atmosphere and mild reaction conditions. Trialkyl phosphite has been observed as unstable organophosphorus intermediate, which is being converted into the main reaction products. In the case of methanolic solutions, the derivatives of two step acidolysis of dimethyl phosphite, monomethyl phosphite and phosphorous acid, have been additionally detected among the reaction products. The influence of the copper (II) oxidants on the kinetics of accumulation and transmutation of organophosphorus products has been explored. The order of oxidative ability of the copper (II) compounds has been established. The major steps of the reaction including (i) the coordination of white phosphorus and alcohol to metal ion and (ii) the redox decomposition of this intermediate complex accompanied by reducing elimination of elementary copper and formation of organophosphorus product have been also suggested.