Studies on Pd-catalyzed asymmetric hydroesterification of enimides. A possible approach to optically active β-amino acid derivatives

Abstract

A Pd-catalyzed asymmetric hydroesterification of enimides with phenyl formate is described. A DIOP-based system has been found to be a highly active catalyst, giving the corresponding β-amino esters with up to 98% yield and up to 83 : 17 er. The resulting amino ester can be readily converted to an optically active β-amino acid in high yield.