Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis of an Aspartic Acid Derivative from Prochiral Maleic Acid and Pyridine under Achiral Conditions

The asymmetric synthesis of an aspartic acid derivative, N-succinopyridine, from prochiral starting materials involving dynamic enantioselective crystallization was accomplished without using any external chiral source. The aza-Michael addition reaction of prochiral maleic acid and pyridine afforded racemic conglomerate N-succinopyridine in water. Continuous stirring of the suspension of the reaction mixture with acetic acid promoted gradual deracemization to afford a crystal with an excellent optical purity of 99 % in 71 % yield.