A new, total synthesis of the antibiotic phosphonomycin is described. Thermal rearrangement of di-t-butyl 2-propynyl phosphite yields the di-t-butyl propadienylphosphonate ester. A selective hydrogenation, followed by acid-catalyzed cleavage of the t-butyl groups, affords cis-propenylphosphonic acid in high yield. This olefin acid is epoxidized and the product is resolved in essentially one step to furnish ...