Applications of the Sulfinimine-Mediated Asymmetric Strecker Synthesis to the Synthesis of α-Alkyl α-Amino Acids

Addition of Et(2)AlCN and i-PrOH to ketosulfinimines (N-sulfinyl imines) affords corresponding alpha-alkyl alpha-amino nitriles in moderate to good yields. The diastereoselectivity is largely dependent on the E/Z isomer ratio of the ketosulfinimine. Hydrolysis of the diastereomerically pure amino nitriles affords enantiopure alpha-alkyl alpha-amino acids in moderate to good yields.