New (alpha-Hydroxyalkyl)phosphorus Amphiphiles: Synthesis and Dissociation Constants

Direct synthesis of free (alpha-hydroxyalkyl)phosphinic acid amphiphiles 1 can be readily realized by sonication of the heterogeneous mixture of 50% aqueous hypophosphorous acid and long-chain aldehydes in the presence of catalytic amounts of hydrochloric acid. Oxidation of these phosphinic acids by DMSO in the presence of catalytic amounts of iodine quantitatively leads to the corresponding phosphonic acids 3. IR spectra of the phosphinic acids 1 in the condensed phase and in solution reveal the presence of intra- and intermolecular associations. Dissociation constants of the phosphorus acids 1 and 3 determined by potentiometric and (31)P NMR titrations show a good correlation between the two methods. The phosphinic acid amphiphiles 1 are slightly stronger than the corresponding phosphonic acids 3. (alpha-Hydroxyalkyl)phosphonium chlorides are prepared in good yields from the phosphine PH(3) and long-chain aldehydes in acidic media.