Synthesis 2007(23): 3754-3757  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-983851
PSP
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Enantioselective Addition of Dimethylzinc to α-Keto Esters

Gonzalo Blay, Isabel Fernández, Alícia Marco-Aleixandre, José R. Pedro*
Departament de Química Orgànica, Facultat de Química, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot (València), Spain
Fax: +34963544329; e-Mail: jose.r.pedro@uv.es;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 May 2007
Publication Date:
08 August 2007 (online)

Abstract

The readily available (+)-N-Benzyl-(S)-mandelamide catalyzes the enantioselective addition of dimethylzinc to α-keto esters to give α-methyl-α-hydroxy esters containing stereogenic quaternary centers with moderate to good yields (56-87%). A good enantioselectivity of the reaction is obtained for aryl and heteroaryl keto esters. For these substrates ee values of 75-90% are obtained. The enantioselectivity is somewhat lower for the substrates bearing an aliphatic chain.

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The flask was opened and the solid reagent rapidly added.