DBU Catalysed Enantioselective Degradative Rearrangement: a Way to Tetrasubstituted 2-Aryl-2-Amino Esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/adsc.202100493

Herein we report a catalytic, easily scalable protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of Tetrasubstituted α-aryl-α-amino acid derivatives, using a biphasic system composed by catalytic DBU in DME and aqueous solutions of Na₂CO₃. Under very mild reaction conditions, without using metal or chiral additives, this heterogeneous system promotes the degradative rearrangement of functionalized N-aryl sulphonyl α-amino esters into the corresponding tetrasubstituted 2-aryl-2-amino esters, with high enantiomeric ratios (up to 97.5:2.5) and good yields (up to 95%). (Figure presented.).