Enantioselective amination of acyclic α-alkylated β-keto esters catalyzed by chiral lithium binaphtholate

Abstract

The enantioselective amination of α-alkylated β-keto esters with azodicarboxylates using a chiral dilithium binaphtholate as catalyst affords optically active α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives in high enantioselectivities of up to 95% ee. A stoichiometric amount of lithium hydroxide accelerates the amination. This method provides easy access to various chiral α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids in high yields and with high enantioselectivities from readily available starting materials and chiral sources.