Asymmetric α-Arylation of Amino Acid Derivatives by Clayden Rearrangement of Ester Enolates via Memory of Chirality

A method for asymmetric alpha-arylation of amino acid derivatives has been developed. The arylation was performed by Clayden rearrangement of ester enolates via memory of chirality to give hydantoins with an arylsubstituted tetrasubstituted carbon with up to 99% ee.