text: Phosphonic esters are prepared using the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction. For example, methyl iodide catalyses the conversion of trimethylphosphite to the phosphonate ester dimethyl methylphosphonate:
  :P(OMe) → MePO(OMe)
  These esters can be hydrolysed to the acid (Me = methyl):
  :MePO(OMe) + HO → MePO(OH) + 2 MeOH
  In the Michaelis–Becker reaction, a hydrogen phosphonate diester is first deprotonated and the resulting anion is alkylated.