Abstract Among 14 oxidometallic species examined for catalytic phosphorylation of the tested alcohols, oxidomolybdenum tetrachloride (MoOCl 4) was found to be the most efficient with a negligible background reaction mediated by triethylamine (Et 3 N). The new catalytic protocol can be applied to the chemoselective phosphorylations of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as the substitution-free phosphorylations of allylic, ...