The preparation of phosphonic acid analogues of α-cephalins by phosphonylation of D-α,β-diglycerides with (2-N,N-dibenzylaminoethyl)phosphonic acid monochloride instead of (2-phthalimidoethyl)-phosphonic acid monochloride, and removal of the protective benzyl groups of the diacyl α-glyceryl-(2-N,N-dibenzylaminoethyl)phosphonates by catalytic hydrogenolysis is described. A simplified procedure for the preparation of 2-bromoethylphosphonic acid is reported.