Dedicated to Prof. Bäckvall to his 70th anniversary.
An organocatalytic asymmetric allylic amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates
with aromatic amines in the presence of β-isocupreidine is described. Chiral allylic
amines were obtained in almost quantitative yields (90–96%) with moderate enantioselectivity.
Recrystallization afforded products in good yields (45–73%) and high optical purity
(82–99% ee). This method provides a facile and efficient route to obtain optically
active β-lactams, including the building block of the cholesterol-lowering drug Ezetimibe.
Key words
alkaloids - allylic amination - asymmetric synthesis - Ezetimibe - Morita–Baylis–Hillman
carbonates - organocatalysis