Abstract:
Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy has been used to monitor synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) from diethyl
hydrogen phosphonate and calcium diethoxide in solution at two different temperatures. Acetyl 2-hydroxyethyl
phosphonate, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) phosphonate, and acetyl ethyl phosphonate have been identified for the
first time in this reaction solution as intermediates. The formation of these compounds is shown to be crucial
in controlling the phase purity of the final hydroxyapatite product. A possible mechanism for the formation
of acetyl 2-hydroxyethyl phosphonate is discussed.
