By using a D-fructose-derived chiral ketone or a D-mannitol-derived chiral amine as catalyst, the organocatalytic asymmetric epoxidation of cis-1-propenylphosphoric acid with 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide in H2O-CH3CN mixture (similar to 80:20) afforded (1R, 2S)-(-)-(1,2)-epoxypropyl phosphoric acid (fosfomycin). Asymmetric epoxidation was carried out at 0 degrees C for 72 h to achieve 100% conversion with a maximum enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of 74%. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.