In chemistry, a phosphorochloridate is a class of organophosphorus compounds with the formula (RO)2P(O)Cl (R = organic substituent). They are tetrahedral in shape, akin to regular phosphates (OP(OR)3). They are usually colorless and sensitive toward hydrolysis. They are oxidized derivatives of phosphorochloridites, which have the formula (RO)2PCl. A popular example is diethyl phosphorochloridate.
Phosphochloridites are precursors to phosphate esters:[1]
Other nucleophiles have been employed, such as azide.[2]
