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Decomposition of P4O10 in DMSO
Sebastian Johansson1, Christopher Kuhlmann2, Johannes Weber1
1Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, Siegen 57076, Germany. gunnej@chemie.uni-siegen.de.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 9, 2018
Summary
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reacts with phosphorus pentoxide (P4O10), forming novel phosphate species. This study identifies new compounds and proposes a degradation pathway for P4O10 in DMSO.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Phosphorus pentoxide (P4O10) is a widely used dehydrating agent.
- Its reaction with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), also known as Onodera reagent, is not fully understood.
- Intermediate degradation products require detailed characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction mechanism between phosphorus pentoxide and dimethyl sulfoxide.
- To identify and characterize the intermediate phosphate species formed during the degradation.
- To elucidate a possible decomposition pathway of P4O10 in DMSO.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structural elucidation.
- Mass Spectrometry (MS) for identifying reaction products.
- Analysis of reaction mixtures to detect intermediate states.
Main Results:
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) does not dissolve phosphorus pentoxide (P4O10) but reacts with it.
- A complex mixture of phosphate species, many with ester functionalities, is formed.
- Several previously undescribed phosphate species were identified using NMR and MS.
Conclusions:
- The reaction between P4O10 and DMSO leads to the formation of novel phosphate esters.
- A plausible decomposition scheme for P4O10 in DMSO has been proposed.
- This research provides new insights into the chemistry of Onodera reagent.
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