Interconversion of (R) and (S)-α-hydroxy esters: precursors of (S) and (R)-O-benzyl-α-hydroxylamino acid esters of high optical purity.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)86063-4

(R)- and (S)-α-hydroxy esters 5 are interconverted via their triflates 6 in high chemical as well as optical yields by reaction with dimethylformamide.The same triflates are efficiently converted into N-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives 7 of high optical purity.