10.1016/S0040-4039(01)80738-3
The research aimed to achieve asymmetric syntheses of amino acids through the addition of cyanide to Schiff bases in the presence of a cyanide-modified hemin-copolymer. The purpose was to enhance the optical yields of resulting amino acids by utilizing the steric control provided by the hemin-copolymer, which contains a large π electron system and shows aromatic properties. The study concluded that the optical yields (80-95% e.e.) were significantly higher than those obtained without the hemin-copolymer, indicating that the hemin in the copolymer provided strong steric control in the asymmetric addition of the CN group. Key chemicals used in the process included hemin, divinylbenzene, 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine for the preparation of the hemin-copolymer, potassium cyanide for CN-modification, optically active amines such as (R)- and (S)-1-phenyl-1-ethylamine, (R)-1-phenyl-1-propylamine, and (R)-1-naphthyl-1-ethylamine, aliphatic aldehydes, and anhydrous sodium sulfate in the preparation of Schiff bases. The synthesized amino acids were then converted to N-trifluoroacetyl amino acid isopropyl esters for enantiomeric excess determination by gas chromatography using a chiral stationary phase.