Asymmetric Strecker Synthesis of alpha-Arylglycines

Y Perez-Fuertes, James E Taylor, David A Tickell, Mary F Mahon, Steven D Bull, Tony D James

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

A practically simple three-component Strecker reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of enantiopure alpha-arylglycines has been developed. Addition of a range of aryl-aldehydes to a solution of sodium cyanide and (S)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine affords highly crystalline (S,S)-alpha-aminonitriles that are easily obtained in diastereomerically pure form. Heating the resultant (S,S)-alpha-aminonitriles in 6 M aqueous HCl at reflux resulted in cleavage of their chiral auxiliary fragments and concomitant hydrolysis of their nitrile groups to afford enantiopure (S)-alpha-arylglycines. The enantiopurities of these (S)-a-arylglycines were determined via derivatization of their corresponding methyl esters with 2-formylphenylboronic acid and (S)-BINOL, followed by (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of the resultant mixtures of diastereomeric iminoboronate esters.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6038-6047
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Organic Chemistry
Volume76
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Aug 2011

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