Abstract 2-Aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid (3) was synthesized for the first time both directly from 2-indanone (7) as well as by alkylation of ethyl diethoxyphosphorylacetate with 1, 2-bis (bromomethyl) benzene (9) via 10–12, respectively. 2-Hydroxyindan-2-phosphonic acid (5) was obtained also from 7 via its diisopropyl ester 8. Compound 3 was found to be a potent inhibitor of the plant enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3. 1.5) both in vitro and ...
