A CONVENIENT SYNTHESIS OF (2R)-1-AMINO-1-DEOXY-1-PHOSPHINYLGLYCEROLS

2,3-O-Isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde reacts with dimethylphosphine oxide in the presence of triethylamine to give separable (1S,2R)- and (1R,2R)-l-dimethylphosphinylglycerol (65:35), from which the (1R) and (1S) title compounds are respectively derived via 1-O-mesyl and 1-azido derivatives. The corresponding 1-dimethoxyphosphinylglycerols are similarly prepared. Structural and conformational assignments of these products are made on the basis of the H-1 NMR data and [alpha]D values.