Organophosphorus compounds. III: A new method for the preparation of alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates

Some alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates were prepared by the reaction of the dicyclohexylamine salts of O-alkyl hydrogen methylphosphonothioates with 2,4,6-trinitrofluorobenzene in acetone solution. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed. The synthetic route was found to be useful for the synthesis of t-butyl methylphosphonofluoridate, which is difficult to obtain otherwise. This compound decomposed quickly at 75°, yielding methylphosphonofluoridic acid and 2-methylpropene.