A simple, efficient, and environmentally benign method for a three-component reaction of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone, and diethyl phosphite catalyzed by Amberlite-IR 120 resin has been developed to afford alpha-amino phosphonates in high yields and short reaction times under solvent-free reaction conditions. The major advantages of the present method are good yields, inexpensive, ecofriendly and reusable catalyst, mild and solvent-free reaction conditions and tolerance towards various functionalities present in the substrates. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.