Simple and effective method for the deracemization of ethyl 1-hydroxyphosphinate using biocatalysts with lipolytic activity

The kinetic resolution of ethyl (1-hydroxyethyl)phenylphosphinate was carried by enzymatic esterification with vinyl butyrate or by hydrolysis of ethyl (1-butyryloxyethyl)phenylphosphinate either by the use of lipases or whole cells of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). Since no stereodifferentiation of the phosphinate moiety was observed, the biotransformations gave diastereoisomers of ethyl (1-hydroxyethyl)phenylphosphinate with excellent enantiomeric excesses above 98%, while the percentage conversion ranged from 10% to 49% depending upon the procedure and conditions of the biocatalysis.

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