A process (catalysed by enzymes) involving the transfer of a
phosphate group from a donor to a suitable acceptor; in general, an
ester linkage is formed, for example:
ATP + alcohol
ADP + phosphate ester
ADP + phosphate esterSource:
PAC, 1997, 69, 1251
(Glossary of terms used in bioinorganic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1997))
on page 1291