Jeffrey Johnston from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, and colleagues, used a chiral Brønsted acid catalyst for highly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of alpha,beta-diamino phosphonic acids. 

'Our work targeted a functionally and stereochemically dense subset of organophosphorous compounds known as alpha,beta-diamino phosphonic acids. However, we devised a very straightforward method for their preparation based on a chiral proton catalyst.' Johnston explains. 

Naturally occurring organophosphorous compounds (although relatively small in number) are of contemporary interest for their biological activity and mechanism of formation. 'On the application side' Johnston says, 'we can now ask fundamental questions concerning utility: How do alpha,beta-diamino phosphonic acids compare and contrast in applications similar to alpha,beta-diamino acids? What unique properties do these amino acid surrogates possess in a peptide context?' 

Johnston believes that a great many challenges remain however. 'There are many other classes that have not yet been prepared; alpha-unsubstituted, beta-alkyl, syn-diamine, and combinations thereof, to name just a few. Also, more reactive catalysts constitute important advances in any area of asymmetric reaction development.' 

Rachel Cooper