RESUMEN
The addition of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (or ethephon), a well-known stimulating molecule for the production of latex by Hevea brasiliensis, onto 2,3-epoxy-2-methylbutane was investigated to enhance the understandings on the addition mechanisms of reagents of alkylphosphonic acid type onto trialkyl-substituted epoxides. It was demonstrated that the addition occurs according to a three-step mechanism including a rapid nucleophilic attack of the phosphorated anion on the most alkyl-substituted carbon of the oxirane, followed by formation of a dioxaphospholane structure with release of water, and finally a hydrolytic cleavage of the dioxaphospholane cycle to generate the regioisomer 1:1 adduct where the phosphorated group is on the less alkyl-substituted carbon of the initial oxirane.
