Stereochemical control of biocatalytic asymmetric reduction of diethyl 2-oxopropylphosphonate employing yeasts

Nonracemic diethyl 2-oxopropylphosphonate of R and S configuration and of high enantiomeric purity was obtained by stereocontrolled bioreduction using: Rhodotorula rubra, Rhodotorula glutinis, Rhodotorula gracilis and baker’s yeast. The effect of the addition of chemical compounds influencing the stereoselectivity of biotransformation have been investigated.