The α-substituted phosphonates (OCH
2CMe
2CH
2O)P(O)CH(X)(Ar) [X=Cl, OMe, NMe
2 and OSiMe
3], useful precursors for Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reactions, are readily prepared by treating (OCH
2CMe
2CH
2O)PX with an aromatic aldehyde. In the reaction of (OCH
2CMe
2CH
2O)PCl with furfuraldehyde and cinnamaldehyde, the 5-chlorofurfurylphosphonate (OCH
2CMe
2CH
2O)P(O)CH
2(5-Cl-C
4H
2O) and the γ-chlorophosphonate (OCH
2CMe
2CH
2O)P(O)CH
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CH-CH(Cl)Ph, respectively, are formed in good yields.