Facile synthesis of (β-chlorodifluoroethyl)phosphonates via chlorination reaction of difluoroalkyl diazo derivatives with HCl

An efficient chlorination reaction of in situ generated (β-diazo-α,α-difluoroethyl)phosphonates has been achieved with hydrochloric acid as a chlorine source under mild and operationally convenient conditions. The reaction does not need any catalyst and tolerates a wide scope of substrates, which affords the (β-chlorodifluoroethyl)phosphonate products in good to excellent yields. This reaction represents the first example of the halogenation of difluoroalkyl diazo compounds, and also provides an easy way for the synthesis of difluoromethylenephosphonate-containing compounds.