Asymmetric synthesis of syn and anti methyl 2,3-diamino-3-phenylpropanoate derivatives from N-substituted imines and Schöllkopf’s bislactim ether

The reaction between differently N-substituted benzaldimines and (2R)-Schöllkopf's bislactim ether was studied: the azaenolate addition to imines followed by hydrolysis of the resulting adducts gave syn-(2S,3R) and anti-(2S,3S)-methyl 2,3-diamino-3-phenylpropanoate derivatives in good yields. The configurations of the newly formed stereocenters of α,β-diamino acids were assigned on the basis of the 1H NMR analysis and by comparison with known products. The diastereoisomeric ratios were explained taking into account the effect of the substituent present on the imine nitrogen on the transition state stability. This method represents a new approach for stereoselective synthesis of α,β-diamino acids.