Alkylation of Aromatic Compounds with Optically Active Lactic Acid Derivatives: Synthesis of Optically Pure 2-Arylpropionic Acid Esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00220a061

The alkylation of benzene with (S)-methyl 2-<(chlorosulfonyl)oxy>- or 2-(mesyloxy)propionate, in the presence of aluminum chloride, affords (S)-methyl 2-phenylpropionate in good chemical (50-80percent) and excellent optical yield (<*>97percent as determined by rotation), with inversion of configuration at the attacking carbon atom.