Asymmetric alkylation catalyzed by chiral alkali metal alkoxides of TADDOL. Synthesis of α-methyl amino acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF02494637

It is shown that sodium alkoxides formed from (4R,5R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-bis(diphenylmethanol) ((R,R)-TADDOL) and some of its derivatives can be used as chiral catalysts for enantioselective alkylation of Schiff's bases derived from alanine with reactive alkyl halides. Acid hydrolysis of the reaction products affords (R)-α-methytphenyl-alanine, (R)-α-allylalanine, and (R)-α-methylnaphthylalanine in 61-93% yields and with ee 69-94%. When (S,S)-TADDOL is used, the (3)-amino acid is formed. A mechanism explaining the observed features of the reaction is proposed.