(Hydroxymethyl)phosphorus compounds are well-known and valuable compounds in general; however the use of (hydroxymethyl)phosphinates R1P(O)(OR2)CH2OH in particular has been much more limited. The potential of this functionality has not yet been fully realized because the mild unmasking of the hydroxymethyl group was not available. The mild oxidative conversion of R1P(O)(OR2)CH2OH into R1P(O)(OR2)H using the Corey鈥揔im oxidation is described. Other reactions preserving the methylene carbon are also reported.