Synthesis of 1-hetarylethylphosphonates

Previously unknown potentially biologically active diethyl 1-(pyridin-3-yl)-, 1-(quinolin-3-yl)-, and 1-(quinolin-6-yl)ethylphosphonates were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed reduction of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated precursors with ammonium formate. The reduction of diethyl 1-(quinolin-6-yl)ethenylphosphonate was accompanied by formation of diethyl 1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl)ethylphosphonate as by-product.