Ring opening with kinetic resolution of azlactones by Ti-TADDOLates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)01064-3

The kinetic resolution of azlactones by the Lewis, acid-mediated transfer of an isopropoxide ligand from the chiral ligand sphere of Ti- TADDOLate is described. The reactions proceed with in-situ racemization of the starting material to afford highly enantiomerically enriched N-benzoyl- amino acid isopropylesters (er > 95:5 after recrystallization). The absolute configuration of the major enantiomer of N-benzoyl-phenylalanine isopropyl ester and its analogs with other aromatic substituents was shown to be (S)- (+) when the (R,R)-Ti-TADDOLate was employed. Only benzyl-substituted azlactones can be opened enantioselectively by the method described here.