Recent developments in the synthesis of pharmacological alkyl phosphonates

Organophosphate analogues are commonly occurring structural features that are widely present in numerous natural substances, biologically active molecules and modern pharmaceutical compounds. The development of efficient strategies for the preparation of these analogues is still attractive but challenging in organophosphorus chemistry. In order to fill this gap, different new routes have been discovered including direct phosphonylation of alkyl radicals, indirect Arbuzov phosphonylation of alkyl radicals and nucleopilic phosphonylation of phosphorus. In this short review, we have attempted to summarize these recent developments for the synthesis of alkyl phosphonates in order to facilitate the development of green pharmacological alkyl phosphonates by emphasizing their variety of products, specificity and relevance, and providing the underlying mechanistic rationale whenever it is possible. We aim to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of this field and contribute to future research.