Abstract: A facile synthesis of symmetric esters of C1-C10 alkylenebisphopsphonic acids is disclosed in which a C1-C10 alkylenebis(phosphonic dichloride) is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1H-tetrazole and a base in an aprotic solvent to form a first reaction mixture. The first reaction mixture is maintained for a time period sufficient to form a C1-C10 alkylenebis(chloro ester phosphonate) that is reacted under basic conditions with an excess of a hydroxylated compound to form a second reaction mixture that is itself maintained for a time period sufficient to form a C1-C10 alkylenebis(ester phosphonate) partial ester, homoleptic tetraester or mixed tetraester. The material so formed can be recovered or used as is.

Abstract: A facile synthesis of symmetric esters of C1-C10 alkylenebisphopsphonic acids is disclosed in which a C1-C10 alkylenebis(phosphonic dichloride) is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1H-tetrazole and a base in an aprotic solvent to form a first reaction mixture. The first reaction mixture is maintained for a time period sufficient to form a C1-C10 alkylenebis(chloro ester phosphonate) that is reacted under basic conditions with an excess of a hydroxylated compound to form a second reaction mixture that is itself maintained for a time period sufficient to form a C1-C10 alkylenebis(ester phosphonate) partial ester, homoleptic tetraester or mixed tetraester. The material so formed can be recovered or used as is.