Direct mono-phosphorylation of 1,3-diols. A synthesis of FTY720-phosphate

A novel method for selective and direct phosphorylation of various diols using silver(I) oxide, tetrabenzyl pyrophosphate (TBPP), and tetrahexylammonium iodide affording mono-phosphates was developed. We applied the present method to the synthesis of FTY720-phosphate.