The Kabachnik–Fields reaction is an organic reaction forming an α-amino phosphonate from an amine, a carbonyl compound and a dialkyl phosphonate. Aminophosphonates are synthetic targets of some importance as phosphorus analogues of α-amino acids (a bioisosteric). This multicomponent reaction was independently discovered by Martin Izrailevich Kabachnik and Ellis K. Fields in 1952.
The first step in this reaction is the formation of an imine followed by an addition reaction of the phosphonate P-H bond into the C=N double bond (a Pudovik reaction). A related reaction is the Mannich reaction.
The reaction is accelerated with a combination of dehydrating reagent and Lewis acid. The carbonyl component in the reaction is usually an aldehyde and sometimes a ketone.