This review covers the preparations of 1-alkynylphosphonates by Michaelis-A
rbuzov and Michaelis-Becker reactions, by nucleophilic substitutions at pho
sphorus (SNPV), and by elimination from 1-alkenylphosphonates. The reactivi
ty and versatility of 1-alkynylphosphonates have made them valuable precurs
ors for other phosphonates, and particularly for the synthesis of heterocyc
les by [2+2], [3+2], and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions.