Preparation of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acids and 2-aminoalkylphosphonic acids by reductive amination of oxoalkylphosphonates

By reacting dialkyl 1-oxo or 2-oxoalkylphosphonates with benzhydrylamine followed by reduction with triacetoxyborohydride and acid hydrolysis gave corresponding aminoalkylphosphonic acids with satisfactory yields. The use of benzylamine, alpha-methylbenzylamine and tritylamine was unsuccessful in the case of dialkyl 1-oxoalkylphosphonates whereas conversion of 2-oxoalkylphosphonates was also achieved although with lower yields. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd