Asymmetric synthesis of beta-haloaryl beta-amino acid derivatives

Lithium N-benzyl-N-alpha -methyl-4-methoxybenzylamide may be employed as a homochiral ammonia equivalent for the synthesis of homochiral beta -haloaryl beta -amino acid derivatives via a strategy involving its conjugate addition to alpha,beta -unsaturated beta -haloaryl acceptors and subsequent oxidative deprotection with ceric ammonium nitrate.