Synthesis of enantiopure 2-acyl azetidines and the application of amino alcohols derived therefrom in enantioselective catalysis

摘要

Enantiopure 2-acyl azetidines were prepared in good yields from 2-cyano azetidines. The ketones produced were then stereo selectively reduced with sodium borohydride (with or without zinc bromide) or transformed into tertiary azetidinic amino alcohols by addition of phenyllithium. The latter compounds were found to be highly efficient catalysts for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes, giving enantioselectivities up to 98%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 13]