The electrochemical reduction of diethyl chlorofuloromethanephosphonat
e has been studied. It has been shown that, in mildly basic media (pH
7.5-8) of water-alcohol solutions, replacement of the chlorine of the
starting compound by hydrogen occurs at lead, cadmium and zinc electro
des with high selectivity. The procedure affording diethyl fluorometha
nephosphonate in a yield of 85%-90% has been elaborated. (C) 1997 Else
vier Science S.A. All rights reserved.