Abbreviations DPPA Molar mass 275.2 g/mol Boiling point 157 °C | Density 1.28 g/cm³ Formula C12H10N3O3P | |
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Appearance Colourless or faintly yellow liquid | ||
Diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA; alternative, more precise name: diphenoxyphosphoryl azide; IUPAC name: diphenyl phosphorazidate) is an organic compound. It is widely used in synthesis of other organic compounds.
Contents
Uses
DPPA undergoes pseudohalogen replacement of the azido group by treatment with nucleophilic reagents, such as water, butanol, ammonia, and various amines.
This compound is used as a reagent for the synthesis of peptides by virtue of its reactions with carboxylic acids leading to either the urethane or the amide. The formation of the urethane is particularly valuable since it works with carboxylic acids which fail to undergo the Schmidt reaction, and is believed to involve transfer of the azido group to the carboxylic acid.
It is now suggested that this reaction proceeds through the intermediate mixed anhydride, resulting from attack by the nucleophilic carboxylate anion on the phosphorus atom, with expulsion of the azide ion. The latter then attacks the carbonyl carbon atom, to give the acyl azide and loss of the diphenylphosphate anion, known to be a good leaving group. Finally, the acyl azide reacts in the normal manner to give the urethane.
Studies show that DPPA reacts with amines giving the corresponding phosphoramidates; it therefore appears that formation of the amide similarly involves the intermediate anhydride, followed by nucleophilic substitution by the amine.
Safety
DPPA is very toxic and a potential explosive like most other azide compounds.