"RS+" as a coupling reagent for phosphorylation and carboxylic acid activation

Phenylsulfenyl chloride, a sulfenium. ion transfer reagent, promotes the fo rmation of pyrophosphate from tetrabutylammonium. phosphate, under controll ed "pH" conditions, in yields of up to 85%. Dichloroacetic and succinic aci ds, in the presence of phenylsulfenyl chloride and a tertiary amine, form t he corresponding anhydrides in very good yields. The treatment of dichloroa cetic acid or p-nitrobenzoic acid with phenylsulfenyl chloride in the prese nce of a tertiary amine, followed by the addition of aniline, affords the c orresponding anilides in yields of up to 42%.