From Elusive Monomeric Metaphosphates to Oligomeric Metaphosphate Reagents: New Avenue to Halogen-free Phosphorylation of Biomolecules

This perspective highlights a new environmentally benign strategy for the introduction of phosphate functionality into organic substrates via activated cyclic oligometaphosphates. The use of these novel phosphorylating reagents greatly simplify the synthesis of nucleoside mono- and polyphosphates and provides a platform to access diverse phosphorylated amino acids, peptides, sugars, and other phosphorus-containing fine chemicals. The new phosphorylation protocol represents an advance in terms of atom-efficiency, regioselectivity, functional tolerance and safety for the environment.