Debenzylation Reaction of Benzylphosphoric Acid Esters

Abstract

Various para-substituted benzyl phosphates were subjected to debenzylation reaction with sodium iodide in acetone or methyl ethyl ketone. Reaction of para-substituted benzyl diphenylphosphates was investigated kinetically and relative easiness of debenzylation was found to be in the decreasing order of p-nitro-, p-bromo-, unsubstituted, and p-methyl-benzyl groups. Evidences for S_N2 mechanism are described.