Organocatalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of azlactones to α,β-unsaturated trichloromethyl ketones: Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201403158

The first asymmetric 1,4-addition of azlactones to α,β-unsaturated trichloromethyl ketones catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derived bifunctional thiourea catalysts was developed. A series of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives bearing a quaternary stereocenter at the α-position were obtained in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to -20:1 dr and 99% ee). In addition, the trichloromethyl moiety in these adducts was identified as a good leaving group.