Asymmetric Synthesis Employing a Chiral 5-Methoxy-1,4-oxazin-2-one Derivative: Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure α-Quaternary α-Amino Acids

A new asymmetric synthesis of disubstituted α-amino acids is presented. This synthesis is based on the chiral 5-methoxy-1,4-oxazin-2-one derivative 5 relying on the α-hydroxy acid 1 as a chiral auxiliary. Alkylation reactions of the glycine equivalent 5 are performed by deprotonation with sec-butyllithium and subsequent reaction with alkyl halides, yielding the monoalkylated compounds 13 and 14. A second alkylation step of the lithium enolates of 13 and 14 leads to the α,α-disubstituted compounds 17. Both steps proceed with good yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99% de). From the major diastereomers 17c–d the corresponding α-amino acids 19c–d are obtained enantiomerically pure upon hydrolytic cleavage with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Alkylation of the enolate ion of 5 with epichlorohydrines as bifunctional electrophiles provides the cyclopropyl derivatives 20a–b. Direct hydrolysis or oxidation of 20a–b, followed by reductive amination and hydrolysis leads to the substituted 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acids 21a–b and 24a–b.