Gallium triiodide catalyzed organic reaction: A convenient synthesis of alpha-amino phosphonates

In dichloromethane, the three-component coupling reaction of carbonyl compounds, amines, and diethyl phosphite was catalyzed effectively by gallium triiodide that was generated in situ by the reaction of gallium metal and iodine to give the corresponding alpha-amino phosphonates in good to excellent yields. The method was appropriate for both primary and secondary amines.