Phosphono-1,3-dienyl compounds 2 can be prepared by palladium cross-coupling reaction of beta-phenyltelluro-vinylphosphonates or -vinylphosphine oxides with alkenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of PdCl2 and AcOAg as reoxidant agent at room temperature. The coupling reaction is stereospecific and the compounds 2 were obtained in good yields with total retention of configuration. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.