Phosphoramides are a class of phosphorus compounds with the formula O=P(NR₂)_3-n(OH)_n. They can be considered derivatives of

phosphoric acid Phosphoric acid (orthophosphoric acid, monophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid) is a colorless, odorless phosphorus-containing solid, and inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is commonly encountered as an 85% aqueous solution, w ...

where OH groups have been replaced with an amino or R-substituted amino group. In practise the term is commonly confined to the phosphoric triamides (P(=O)(NR₂)₃), essentially

phosphoramide Phosphoramide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula O=P(NH2)3. It is a derivative of phosphoric acid in which each of the hydroxyl groups have been replaced with an amino group. Phosphoramide arises from the reaction of phosphoryl ch ...

and derivatives thereof. Derivatives with the general structures P(=O)(OH)(NR₂)₂ or P(=O)(OH)₂(NR₂) are usually referred to as phosphoramidic acids.

Examples

Phenyl phosphorodiamidate Phenyl phosphorodiamidate is an organophosphorus compound with the formula C6H5OP(O)(NH2)2. A white solid, it is used as an inhibitor of urease, an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis of urea. In this way, phenyl phosphorodiamidate enhances th ...

, a phosphoramide but also a phosphate ester, is used in agriculture to enhance the effectiveness of urea-based

fertilizer A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English; see spelling differences) is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from ...

s. *

Hexamethylphosphoramide Hexamethylphosphoramide, often abbreviated HMPA, is a phosphoramide (an amide of phosphoric acid) with the formula This colorless liquid is a useful reagent in organic synthesis. Structure and reactivity HMPA is the oxide of the highly basic t ...

(HMPA) is a polar solvent.

References

{{Organophosphorus Functional groups