Self-reproduction of chirality. Asymmetric synthesis of β-alkyl-β-amino acids from enantiomerically pure dihydropyrimidinones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(93)80005-E

Enantiomerically pure heterocycle 2 is deprotonated at C6 with tert-butyllithium at -78°C. The resulting carbanion reacts with alkyl halides and aldehydes to give the corresponding alkylated products. Reduction of the double bond followed by hydrolysis affords enantiomerically pure β-alkyl-β-amino acids.