A facile method for the synthesis of organophosphonates from alkenes and dialkyl phosphites was developed by the use of Mn (II) under air. Thus, the reaction of 1-octene with diethyl phosphite in the presence of Mn (OAc) 2 (5 mol%) under air at 90° C led to diethyl octylphosphonate (78%) and diethyl (2-hexyl) decylphosphonate (6%). Internal alkenes such as cis-2-octene gave a regioisomeric mixture of the corresponding ...
