Process for preparing phosphorothioates and phosphates and phosphonothioates and phosphonates

Certain phenyl and N-heterocyclic phosphorothioates and phosphonothioates and phosphates are prepared by the reaction of an appropriate alkali metal or alkaline earth metal -O-phenyl or N-heterocyclic compound with an appropriate phosphorochloridate, phosphorochloridothioate, phosphonochloridate or phosphonochloridothioate under alkaline conditions in the presence of a tertiary amine catalyst and a nonionic surfactant having an HLB Value of from 1 to 20, preferably 5 to 15, in a two-phase system, one phase being primarily the phosphorate or phosphonate reactant and a complex thereof with the tertiary amine catalyst and the other phase being an aqueous reaction medium comprising water, a buffer system, and the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal-O-phenyl or -O-N-heterocyclic compound, in the substantial or complete absence of an organic solvent the aqueous reaction medium being maintained at pH 10 to 12 by the buffer system