Trialkyl phosphites attack P-propiolactone at the 6-carbon atom, causing an alkyl-oxygen cleavage of the lactone ring, to yield alkyl 3-(dialky1phosphono)-propionates. Dialkyl hydrogen phosphites cause an acyl-oxygen cleavage of 6-propiolactone to yield dialkpl 3- hydroxypropionylphosphonates as intermediates which, in turn, react with more dialkyl hydrogen phosphite to produce tetraalkyl 1, 3-dihydroxypropylidenediphosphonates. Thus ...
