Design and synthesis of an alpha,alpha-difluorophosphinate hapten for antibody-catalyzed hydrolysis of organophosphorus nerve agents.

In a new approach to the safe neutralization of organophosphorus chemical weapons, we designed a hapten to elicit catalytic antibodies with phosphatase activity. Here we report the synthesis of this alpha,alpha-difluorophosphinate hapten 6. Various methods for the introduction of the key alpha,alpha-difluoromethyl feature into the phosphinate hapten are discussed. The best results were obtained with the electrophilic gem-difluorinating agent N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide.