The new way to synthesize ethyl 1-butyryloxy-1-phenylmethane(P-phenyl)phosphinate and whole-cell biocatalysis by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

A new compound, ethyl 1-carboxy-1-hydroxy-1-phenylmethane(P-phenyl)phosphinate, was synthesized and the configuration of its diastereoisomers was described using NMR spectroscopy. Acylation with butyryl chloride gave an unexpected product, ethyl butyryloxy(phenyl)methane(P-phenyl)phosphinate, which was then hydrolyzed using two bacterial species as biocatalysts. Good results were achieved for biocatalytic hydrolysis performed by Escherichia coli cells, giving optically active products with 84% enantiomeric excess, and enantioselectivity of 25.8 for one pair of enantiomers. Better results were obtained when the biocatalytic reaction was carrying out for a longer period and the conversion degree reached 71%, the enantiomeric excess of unreacted substrate was >99% and enantioselectivity increased to 32.1. In all cases, isomers bearing α–carbon atom of S configuration were hydrolyzed preferentially.