Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Methyl α-Amino Acids through Diastereoselective Alkylation under Mild Reaction Conditions of an Iminic Alanine Template with a 1,2,3,6-Tetrahydro-2-pyrazinone Structure

(6R)-6-Isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrazinone, obtained from (R)-valine and (S)-alanine, is highly diastereoselectively alkylated at room temperature by: a) activated alkyl halides under solid-liquid PTC conditions, b) non-activated alkyl halides with organic bases, c) electrophilic olefins employing both solid−liquid PTC conditions and organic bases, and d) allylic carbonates by means of palladium catalysis under neutral conditions. Enantiomerically pure (S)-α-methyl α-amino acids 8 are obtained by hydrolysis of the alkylated pyrazinones.