Diamidophosphate (DAP) is the simplest
phosphorodiamidate ion, with formula PO2(NH2)2−. It is a
phosphorylating ion and was first used for phosphorylation of sugars in aqueous medium.[1] DAP has attracted interest in the area of primordial chemistry.[2]
Salts
Several salts of the formula MPO2(NH2)2(H2O)x are known.[3]
The sodium salt can be made by base hydrolysis of
phenyl phosphorodiamidate.[4] It crystallises as a hexahydrate. It can be dehydrated.
The silver salt AgPO2(NH2)2 can react using double decomposition with bromides forming other salts.
The potassium diamidophosphate salt KPO2(NH2)2 is also known.
Phosphorodiamidic acid crystallizes as a trihydrate.[4]
At 160 °C, Na2P2O4(NH)(NH2)2, Na3P3O6(NH)2(NH2)2, Na4P4O8(NH)3(NH2)2, Na5P5O10(NH)4(NH2)2 and Na6P6O12(NH)5(NH2)2 are produced. These substances contain P-N-P backbones. These can be separated by paper chromatography.
Diamidophosphate inhibits
urease enzymes by blocking up the active site, binding to two nickel centers. Diamidophosphate mimics the
urea hydrolysis intermediate.[5]
Diamidophosphate is tribasic, and the amine groups may also lose hydrogen to form more metallic salts. With silver, further reactions can yield explosive salts: tetrasilver orthodiamidophosphate (AgO)3P(NH2)NHAg, and pentasilver orthodiamidophosphate (AgO)3P(NHAg)2.[6]
DAP phosphorylates deoxynucleosides (the building blocks of DNA, and at the same time initiates polymerization to make DNA.[9] DAP facilitates the synthesis of larger RNA sequences (ribozymes) from smaller RNA strands.[10] Other nitrogenous derivatives of phosphorus derivatives have also been proposed in this context in a review article.[11]
^Pan, Baobao; Lam, Shu Kee; Mosier, Arvin; Luo, Yiqi; Chen, Deli (2016). "Ammonia Volatilization from Synthetic Fertilizers and its Mitigation Strategies: A Global Synthesis". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 232: 283–289.
doi:
10.1016/j.agee.2016.08.019.