Greener Phosphorus Chemistry: Redox-Neutral Pathway to Bulk Chemical Synthesis
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Greener Phosphorus Chemistry: Redox-Neutral Pathway to Bulk Chemical Synthesis
Wed, 12/11/2025 - 14:00 to 15:00
Location:
Speaker:
Prof Jan J. Weigand
Affiliation:
Technische Universität Dresden
Synopsis:
Phosphorus compounds are pivotal in numerous biological systems and industrial applications, yet traditional synthetic methods are inefficient and environmentally taxing. The prevalent process involves a redox-intensive route from primary phosphate (PV) sources via elemental white phosphorus and subsequent (oxy)chlorination, resulting in PCl₃, PCl₅, and POCl₃. This approach is not sustainable due to its high energy consumption and significant waste production. Therefore, an innovative and greener synthetic route is imperative for the future of phosphorus chemistry. We propose a novel, redox-neutral methodology for the activation of primary and secondary phosphate sources using Tf₂O and pyridine (LN). This method directly cleaves P–O bonds in common phosphate (PV) sources, producing a versatile phosphorylation agent, [(LN)2PO2][OTf]. This greener synthesis pathway utilizes cost-effective phosphoric acid and other phosphate sources, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
Our approach not only improves the sustainability of phosphorus compound synthesis but also provides a pathway to access bulk chemicals. The resulting [(LN)2PO2][OTf] phosphorylation agent can be used to synthesize a variety of phosphorus-containing molecules. This advancement aligns with the principles of greener chemistry by minimizing hazardous reagents and by-products, optimizing atom economy, and reducing overall process energy demands.
Acknowledgements:
We thank the German Science Foundation (WE 4621/10-1; project number: 524609036) and TU Dresden for their financial support.
Reference:
[1] M. B. Geeson, C. C. Cummins, ACS Cent. Sci. 2020, 6, 848-860.
[2] M. Donath, K. Schwedtmann, T. Schneider, F. Hennersdorf, A. Bauzá, A. Frontera, J. J. Weigand, Nat. Chem. 2022, 14, 384-391.
[3] T. Schneider, K. Schwedtmann, J. Fidelius, J. J. Weigand, Nat. Synth. 2023, 2, 972-979.
Biography:
Prof. Jan J. Weigand is a renowned chemist known for his significant contributions to sustainable chemistry and circular economy practices. He earned his diploma in chemistry in 2002 and a Dr. rer nat. degree in 2005 from LMU in Munich with distinction. He has received numerous accolades, including the Bavarian Culture Prize in 2005. His academic journey continued with a Lynen Scholarship from the AvH Foundation, facilitating postdoctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. Returning to Germany, he pursued habilitation at WWU Münster in late 2007 and received the Liebig scholarship from FCI in 2008. In April 2010, he became a fellow of the Emmy Noether research program by the DFG and earned the Wöhler Research Award for young scientists. His pioneering work secured an "ERC Starting Grant" from the European Council in July 2012. Since January 2013, he has been a Professor at TU University Dresden and his research spans molecular inorganic and phosphorus chemistry, with a strong emphasis on sustainable methodologies, technical applications, and innovative recycling strategies. He secured a Reinhardt Koselleck funding from the DFG (2023) for his project, "Blueprint for Modern Sustainable Phosphorus Chemistry," and is a member of the CTC-Expert Pool (Center for the Transformation of Chemistry) since 2023. His work highlights a dedicated commitment to advancing sustainability within the chemical industry.
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