A convenient synthesis of phosphonothioic acids

A method for the convenient synthesis of phosphonothioates, or phosphonothioic acids, is reported. A significant advantage of the method is the alleviation of the need for purification of intermediates, other than washing with water. No chromatography is needed and the only purification step is the crystallization of the final product. The method uses standard reagents and should be applicable to the synthesis of phosphonothioic acids bearing a range of functional groups.