Manganese(III) acetate promoted regioselective phosphonation of heteroaryl compounds.

[Structure: see text] A new method for direct phosphonation of thiazoles, furans, and pyrroles is introduced. Reactions of the heteroaryl compounds with dimethyl or diethyl phosphites and Mn(OAc)(3).2H2O under mild conditions give phosphonated products in high yield and good regioselectivity.