Reaction of (R)-pantolactone esters of alpha-bromoacids with amines. A remarkable synthesis of optically active alpha-amino esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(93)88062-N

(R)-Pantolactone esters of racemic α-bromo acids react with amines to give α-amino esters having the (S)-configuration at the α-carbon in yields which are considerably greater than the 50% expected on the basis of a simple S(N)2 displacement reaction.