Efficient method for the asymmetric reduction of α- and β-ketophosphonates

An efficient and versatile method for the asymmetric reduction of α- and β-ketophosphonates using chiral reactant 7 derived from sodium borohydride and d-(−)- or l-(+)-tartaric acid is developed. The methodology was applied for the preparation of bioactive products: 2,3-epoxyphosphonates, 2,3-aziridinophosphonates, phospho-GABOB, phospho-carnitine, etc.