In search of an efficient method to prepare cholinephosphate headgroups in phospholipids under mild conditions (where the diacylglycerol moiety is not subject to oxidation), a method was developed for phosphorylation using a trialkyl phosphite and I2. The active intermediate is a phosphoryl iodide formed by oxidation of the phosphite with I2. 2-Bromoethanol, dimethyl chlorophosphite, and an alcohol (diglyceride) are converted to a phosphate ...