Abstract The Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction of various ethyl diarylphosphonoacetates with benzaldehyde, cyclohexane carboxaldehyde and octanal is reported. Selectivities of up to 98% at–78 C are obtained with the three substrates. Among all the phosphonates prepared, the reagent based on 2-tert-butylphenol proved to be especially efficient, with Z/E ratios close to 95: 5 at 0 C. It appears thus to be the reagent of ...