Microbial biotransformation of two phosphonoacetic acid derivatives bearing two stereomeric centres

Three strains of microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis, Serratia liquefaciens and Escherichia coli were tested as

whole-cell biocatalysts for the kinetic resolution of isomers of two new phosphonoacetic acid derivatives. Used

compounds possess two chiral centres – one at the carbon adjacent to both functional groups and the other at the

phosphorus. Biocatalytic hydrolysis of 2-butyryloxy-2-(butoxyetoxyphosphinyl)acetic acid and 2-butyryloxy-2-(isobutoxyetoxyphosphinyl)

acetic acid with whole cells of Bacillus subtilis produced corresponding hydroxyphosphonates

with diastereoselectivity ranging from 50 to 60%.