Simple synthesis of some unsaturated 1,1-difluoro-2-hydroxyethylphosphonates

A short synthesis of some 1,1-difluoro-2-hydroxymethylphosphonates in good yields is described. This procedure involves the regioselective 1,2-addition of [(diethoxyphosphoryl)difluoromethyl] lithium toward unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.