A one step/one pot synthesis of N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)amino acids and their effects on adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The one pot reaction of amino acids with diethylphosphite and formaldehyde yielded N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)amino acids. This synthetic route does not require harsh reagents to cleave the ester group. The molecular structures of the new compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction methods.