Stereoselective synthesis of beta-amino alcohols: diastereoselective reduction of chiral alpha'-amino enones derived from amino acids

Abstract

alpha-Amino acids are doubly benzylated at nitrogen to give N,N-dibenzyl amino adds, which can readily be converted to alpha'-amino enones 3. The alpha'-amino enones are very resistant to racemization, and undergo highly diastereoselective reduction to afford chiral amino alcohols upon treatment with L-Selectride under non-chelation control. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.