An Eco-Friendly Paradigm for the Synthesis of α-Hydroxyphosphonates Using Sodium-Modified Fluorapatite under Solventless Conditions

Abstract

A versatile and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of various organophosphorus compounds have been developed using a heterogeneous catalysis technology. We have synthesized a series of the α-hydroxyphosphonates, a biologically important class of compounds, via the Pudovik reaction between dialkylphosphite and aldehydes or ketones using sodium-modified fluorapatite (Na@FAP) as a highly efficient basic solid catalyst under solventless conditions at room temperature. Catalyst reuse, ease of separation of the pure product, and high yields are some of the unique features of this process.