A number of α-ketophosphonate are prepared and shown to be easily enolised. An X-ray crystal structure determination of a β-phenyl-α-ketophosphonate shows the molecule to be present as hydrogen bonded dimers and demonstrates the presence of enol tautomer in solid state. α-ketophosphonate can be converted to the corresponding enolacetate under mild conditions. The enolacetate have the E-configuration exclusively.
