An Efficient Route to Chiral α- and β-Hydroxyalkanephosphonates

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of α- and β-hydroxyphosphonates in combination with ruthenium-catalyzed alcohol isomerization led to a successful dynamic kinetic resolution. A variety of racemic hydroxyphosphonates were efficiently transformed to the corresponding enantiomerically pure acetates (ee up to 99% and yield up to 87%).