Synthesis of β-ketophosphonates via AgNO3-catalyzed hydration of alkynylphosphonates: a rate-enhancement effect of methanol

β-Ketophosphonates were prepared via AgNO3-catalyzed hydration of alkynylphosphonates with a dramatic rate-enhancement effect of methanol. This benign aqueous-methanol method catalyzed by a low-cost catalyst has simple, atom-economical procedure, and was used effectively with a wide range of substrates.