Synthetic procedures for preparing eta (2) and eta (4) complexes of chalcone and benzalacetone with hexacarbonyl mononuclear complexes of Group VIB metals were developed and conditions for selective eta (2)- and eta (4)-coordination of the heterodiene ligand were established. Hydrophosphorylation of the obtained complexes proceeds in the coordination sphere of the metal by the Abramov reaction scheme and yields the corresponding eta (2)-coordinated alpha -hydroxyphosphonates. As follows from quantum-chemical calculations, pi -coordination with metals makes the heterodienes no longer planar, which explains their regioselective phosphorylation by the more electrophilic carbonyl group.