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Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Synthesis of High Purity Nonsymmetric Dialkylphosphinic Acid Extractants
Published on: October 19, 2017
Nucleophilic Neutralization of Organophosphates: Lack of Selectivity or Plenty of Versatility?
Valmir B Silva1, Renan B Campos2, Paulina Pavez3
1Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CP 19081, CEP 81531-990, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Abstract:
Neutralization of organophosphates is an issue of public health and safety, involving agrochemicals and chemical warfare. A promising approach is the nucleophilic neutralization, scope of this review, which focuses on the molecular nucleophiles: hydroxide, imidazole derivatives, alpha nucleophiles, amines and other nucleophiles. A reactivity mapping is given correlating the pathways and reaction efficiency with structural dependence of the nucleophile (basicity) and the organophosphate (electrophilic centers, P=O/P=S shift, leaving and non-leaving group). Reactions extremely unfavorable (>20 years) can be reduced to seconds with various nucleophiles, some which are catalytic. Although there is no universal nucleophile, a lack of selectivity in some cases accounts for plenty of versatility in other reactions. The ideal neutralization requires a solid mechanistic understanding, together with balancing factors such as milder conditions, fast process, selectivity and less toxic products.
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