Dimethylphosphite

Dimethylphosphite, is a minor tautomer of the phosphorus(V) derivative. It is a reagent for generating other organophosphorus compounds, exploiting the high reactivity of the P-H bond. The molecule is tetrahedral. It is a colorless liquid. The compounds can be prepared by methanolysis of phosphorus trichloride or by heating diethylphosphite in methanol.

Dimethylphosphite

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Dimethyl phosphonate
Other names Phosphonic acid, dimethyl ester
Identifiers
CAS Number	868-85-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEMBL	ChEMBL65359
ChemSpider	85582
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.622
PubChem CID	94853
UNII	ST4TBO000H Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5020493
InChI InChI=1S/C2H7O3P/c1-4-6(3)5-2/h3H,1-2H3 Key: DLQDGVZAEYZNTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES COP(O)OC
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H7O3P
Molar mass	110.049 g·mol−1
Appearance	colorless liquid
Density	1.20 g/cm3
Boiling point	72–73 °C (162–163 °F; 345–346 K) 25 Torr
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Although studies have not been reported for this compound, the closely related diethylphosphite exists predominantly as the phosphorus(V) tautomer.

This tautomeric nature of DMHP made it desirable as a precursor to the G-series compounds, and it was the most successful among all other phosphonate precursors. The now obsolete process, which used it as a precursor, was called the DMHP process, investigated by Otto Ambros' team and implemented to scale sarin production.