Stereoselective reactions. XXI. Asymmetric alkylation of α-alkyl β-keto esters to α,α-dialkyl β-keto esters having either (R)- Or (S)-chiral quaternary center depending on the solvent system

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)80346-X

Asymmetric alkylation reaction of chiral enamines prepared from α-alkyl β-keto esters and (S)-valine tert-butyl ester leading to either enantiomer is described. Lithiated chiral enamines can be alkylated with alkyl halides in a toluene solvent in the presence of HMPA to give, after hydrolysis, α,α-dialkyl β-keto esters in 70-99%ee. The reactions in the presence of THF, dioxolane, or trimethylamine, instead of HMPA, afford the corresponding antipodes with enantiomeric purities of 44-92%ee. The present method provides a procedure for the synthesis of both enantiomers of α,α-dialkyl β-keto esters in high enantiomeric purities starting from the same chiral enamines.