The Mn(OAc)(3)-promoted C-H phosphonation of 7-deazapurines (pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines) and 9-deazapurines (pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines) with diethylphosphite was developed. The reactions occur regioselectively at position 8 both in 7 and 9-deazapurines, leading to new deazapurine-8-phosphonate derivatives, which can be further modified and transformed to 6-(het)aryl-deazapurine derivatives or deprotected to free phosphonic acids.