Enzymatic resolution of diethyl (3-hydroxy-1-butenyl) phosphonate

The enzymatic esterification of diethyl (3-hydroxy-1-butenyl) phosphonate 1 with different enzymes has been carried out, and allows the preparation of (S)-1 and (R)-diethyl (3-acetoxy-1-butenyl) phosphonate 2 with very high enantiomeric excess. The absolute conguration of 1 was determined by independent synthesis from (S)-ethyl lactate.