Alternatives to 1-H-tetrazole in the preparation of phosphonate diesters and phosphonamidates from phosphonyl dichlorides

5-Ethylthio-1-H-tetrazole (SET) and 4,5-dicyanoimidazole (DCI) were examined as alternatives to 1-H-tetrazole to mediate the synthesis of phosphonate diesters and phosphonamidates from phosphonyl dichlorides through a two-step one-pot reaction in various organic solvents. SET and DCI were comparable to 1-H-tetrazole for catalyzing these reactions. SET afforded slightly greater yields than DCI while benzene was universally the best solvent for this reaction.