Asymmetric Bioreduction of β-Activated Vinylphosphonate Derivatives Using Ene-Reductases

A series of functionalized α-chiral phosphonates was obtained by enzymatic reduction of the corresponding β-activated vinylphosphonate derivatives employing several ene-reductases of the Old Yellow Enzyme family as biocatalysts. The insufficient activation of the phosphonate group alone was compensated by introduction of an electron-withdrawing group at the β-position, which resulted in high levels of conversion (up to >99%). All active enzymes consistently furnished (R)-configurated products with exquisite stereoselectivity, thereby providing a stereo-complementary approach to current asymmetric hydrogenation protocols on similar compounds. Preparative-scale syntheses performed in aqueous buffer using formate/formate dehydrogenase for recycling of the nicotinamide cofactor granted access to β-keto-, cyano- and ester phosphonates from the (E)-isomers of α,β-unsaturated phosphonates in up to 72% isolated yield and >99% ee.