Abstract
The character of buffer-catalyzed hydrolysis of four phosphonates, bis-(4-nitrophenyl) methylphosphonate (NMN), 4-nitrophenyl 2-propyl methylphosphonate (IMN), 2-(3,3-dimethyl)butyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman), and 4-nitrophenyl4-methylphenacyl methylphosphonate (MPMN), was investigated. The latter hydrolyzes by an intramolecular nucleophilic mechanism. The transition state for each reaction is discussed.