Stereodivergent entry to β-branched β-trifluoromethyl α-amino acid derivatives by sequential catalytic asymmetric reactions

Currently, conventional reductive catalytic methodologies do not guarantee general access to enantioenriched beta-branched beta-trifluoromethyl alpha-amino acid derivatives. Herein, a one-pot approach to these important alpha-amino acids, grounded on the reduction - ring opening of Erlenmeyer-Plochl azlactones, is presented. The configurations of the two chirality centers of the products are established during each of the two catalytic steps, enabling a stereodivergent process.

Automated summary

This study presents a one-pot approach to enantioenriched beta-branched beta-trifluoromethyl alpha-amino acid derivatives, grounded on the reduction - ring opening of Erlenmeyer-Plochl azlactones. The configurations of the two chirality centers of the products are established during each of the two catalytic steps, enabling a stereodivergent process.