Reaction of benzalacetone with dimethylphosphorous acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF00922155

1. In the presence of an equimolar amount of diethylamine or a catalytic amount of sodium methylate, dimethylphosphorous acid adds to the carbonyl group of benzalacetone to give the dimethyl ester of 4-phenyl-2-hydroxy-3-butenyl-2-phosphonic acid. 2. An equimolar amount of sodium methylate favors the formation of the dimethyl ester of 1-phenyl-2-acetylethylphosphonic acid.