Asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of 1 (E)-alkenylphosphonates with an AD-mix-α or-β reagent was examined to give a series of optically active threo-α, β-dihydroxyphosphonates. Good enantioselectivity (> 88% ee) was observed in the AD reaction of 1 (E)- alkenylphosphonates with conjugated aromatic substituents. The steric effects of the ester functionality in the course of the dihydroxylation were also evaluated. Enantioselectivity ...