Provided herein are diaryl and arylalkyl phosphonates, useful as intermediates in, for example, the synthesis of leukocyte elastase inhibitors, potassium channel modulators, chemiluminescence materials, and flame retardants, and methods for making same. Also provided are N-heterocyclic phosphorodiamidic acids (NHPAs) useful in reactions such as, for example, in the preparation of diaryl and arylalkyl phosphonates. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.