The UV irradiation of a mixture of (EtO)(2)POP(OEt)(2) and I(CF2)(n)I
(n = 3,4, 6) or I(CF2)(n)P(O)(OEt)(2) (n = 1, 2) results in the corres
ponding bisphosphonites or mixed phosphonite-phosphonates, respectivel
y: which on oxidation by Me(3)COOH afforded the perfluoroalkylidene-al
pha,omega-bisphosphonates in 64-77% isolated yields.