Dimethyl methylphosphonate can be prepared from trimethyl phosphite and a halomethane (e.g. iodomethane) via the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction.
Dimethyl methylphosphonate is a schedule 2 chemical as it may be used in the production of chemical weapons. It will react with thionyl chloride to produce methylphosphonic acid dichloride, which is used in the production of sarin and soman nerve agents. Various amines can be used to catalyse this process.  It can be used as a sarin-simulant for the calibration of organophosphorus detectors.