Mechanistic approach for expeditious and solvent-free synthesis of α-hydroxy phosphonates using potassium phosphate as catalyst

An extremely simple, high yielding, highly rapid and solvent-free protocol has been described for hydrophosphylation of aldehydes using potassium phosphate as catalyst. Easy commercial availability of the reusable catalyst, operational simplicity at ambient temperature and avoidance of conventional work-up as well as purification procedure makes this solvent-free protocol a near-ideal synthesis.

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