Aminophosphonates are organophosphorus compounds with the formula (RO)2P(O)CH2NR2. These compounds are structural analogues of in which a carboxylic moiety is replaced by phosphonic acid or related groups. Acting as antagonists of amino acids, they inhibit involved in amino acid metabolism and thus affect the physiological activity of the cell. These effects may be exerted as antibacterial, plant growth regulatory or neuromodulatory. They can act as ligands, and heavy metal complexes with aminophosphonates have medical applications.
Phosphonates are more difficult to hydrolyse than phosphates. Some aminophosphonates degrade to aminomethylphosphonic acid.
Preparation
Aminophosphonates are often prepared by hydrophosphonylation, usually the condensation of
and
phosphorous acid. In the
Pudovik reaction or KabachnikāFields reaction, the esters of phosphorous acid are employed, e.g. diphenylphosphite. Because these compounds are of pharmaceutical interest, methods have been developed to induce these additions asymmetrically.
Examples
Aminomethylphosphonic_acid.svg|Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), the simplest possible aminophosphonate.
Glyphosate.svg|Glyphosate, a common though contentious herbicide
ATMP.png|ATMP is used in water treatment as antiscalant
EDTMP.png|EDTMP, a chelating agent. Its 153Sm complex (Quadramet) is used in the treatment of cancer
DTPMP.png|DTPMP