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.