Will MeOH and H2PO4 react?

Question

Under temperature 27.5oC will MeOH (Methanol) and H2PO4 (Phosphoric acid) react? I have mixed them together in the ratio; H2PO4:MeOH -> 1:100, 1:10 & 1:5.

Will these react and produce any undesirable derivatives and/or compounds?

Thanks

Answer 1

This reaction produces a phosphate ester of methanol. Like all esterification reactions, water is split off.

CH3OH + H3PO4 → CH3H2PO4 +H2O (methyl phosphate + water.

1mol of MeOH reacts with 1mol H3PO4 That is 32g MeOH and 98g H3PO4 Say roughly MeOH : H3PO4 in ratio 3:10 .

In order to remove the water produced the reaction should be done in the presence of concentrated H2SO4 which is a good dehydrating agent and will force the reaction to go in favour of the products. Have you tried warming the reaction? Normally an ester is distilled off as it forms which also helps to drive the reaction in the direction of the products.

Answer 2

YES.