Candida rugosa lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis in organic solvents. Convenient preparation of optically pure 2-hydroxy-2-arylethanephosphonates

A convenient enzymatic method is presented for the preparation of optically pure 2-hydroxy-2-arylethanephosphonates. It is proved that 2-butyryloxy-2-arylethanephosphonates can be enantioselectively hydrolyzed in diisopropyl ether equilibrated with water to give both isomers in high yield and excellent enantiomeric excess.