Phosphono paraffins

Aspects described herein generally relate to methods of making a phosphono paraffin comprising forming a reaction mixture by mixing a haloparaffin, a phosphite, and one or more of sodium iodide, potassium iodide or potassium bromide. Methods comprise heating the reaction mixture to form the phosphono paraffin. Aspects described herein further relate to a phosphono paraffin represented by formula (I):wherein each instance of R3is independently -H orwherein each instance of R1and R2is independently linear or branched C1-20alkyl, C3-20cycloalkyl, or aryl; the number of instances where R3isof formula (I) is between about 2 and about 8; and n is an integer between 4 and 22.