Dialkyl phosphinates are valuable peptide mimics for metallopeptidase targets. Despite their large pharmaceutical potential, the synthesis of many phosphinates remains challenging. An additional drawback for many applications is the high polarity of the phosphinate group. Herein we describe the synthesis of stereoisomerically pure GPI (1), a phosphinate with high binding affinity for the cancer specific zinc peptidase PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen). In addition, analogous cyclic phosphinate esters 13, 16 and 23 are reported that might be useful as less polar ligands for metallo peptidase binding. The key step to these new 1,2-oxaphosphorinan-2-ones is an intramolecular cyclization of an intermediate H-phosphinate. The cyclizations work with modest diastereoselectivities of ~2:1 in favor of the trans arrangement of substituents at 2-and 4-position of the 1,2-oxaphosphorinan-2-one scaffolds.