Copper catalyzed synthesis of aryl/alkyl mixed phosphates from diphenylphosphoryl azides and aliphatic alcohols under mild conditions

Abstract

An efficient and convenient one-pot protocol is developed to prepare aryl/alkyl mixed phosphates in the presence of copper catalyst under exceptionally mild conditions. A series of versatile, ubiquitous, and inexpensive phosphoryl azides and aliphatic alcohols are combined for the first time ever. Diphenylphosphoryl azide is employed as novel phosphors reagent through an unexpected cleavage of PN bond. The transformation is advantageous with respect to a broad of functional group compatibility and different esterification products are isolated in good to excellent results. This new catalytic system represents a superior platform towards a mild, operationally simple, practical, and scalability alternative to access target molecules. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism is proposed based on insightful mechanistic studies.