Reduction of Oxoalkylphosphonates by Microorganisms

Abstract

Synthesis of enantiopure compounds is an importaut task because of the increasing interest in understanding the role which chirality plays in nature and of the increasing demand for such molecules in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. Microorganisms has been widely used for this purpose and particular their use in stereospecific reduction of aldehydes and ketones is well documented. Baker's yeast seems to be the most popular biocatalyst for the asymmebic reduction of carbonyl compounds. Its incredible ability to respond to new substrrtes gives the opportunity to uncover novel exploitable synthetic capacities. Thus, we studied the utility of this microorgnnisn in enmtioselectivc reductions of oxodkylphosphonates.