An efficient synthesis of α- and β-aminophosphonic esters from α-amino acids

Catalytic hydrogenation of N-Boc aziridine 2-phosphonates derived from 3-amino-2-hydroxyphosphonates affords N-Boc α-aminophosphonic esters in high enantiomerical purities. Alternatively, the α-hydroxy β-aminophosphonic esters can be reduced into β-aminophosphonic esters by radical deoxygenation.