The difluoromethyl phosphonate motif plays a crucial role in the development of bioactive molecules as it is considered as a phosphate bioisoster. Since 2010, a renewal of interest to enlarge the panel of reactions to access these difluoromethylated phosphonate-containing molecules has been witnessed. This Concept article charts the recent progress that has been made.
Keywords: bioisosters; fluorinated phosphonates; fluorine; phosphate mimics; synthetic methods.
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