Stereoselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols: Diastereoselective reduction of chiral α-amino enones derived from amino acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00374-1

α-Amino acids are doubly benzylated at nitrogen to give N,N-dibenzyl amino acids, which can readily be converted to α'-amino enones 3. The α'-amino enones are very resistant to racemization, and undergo highly diastereoselective reduction to afford chiral amino alcohols upon treatment with L-Selectride under non-chelation control.