Synthesis 2005(20): 3508-3516  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-918421
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Asymmetric Synthesis of Substituted Azetidine Type α- and β-Amino Acids

Dieter Enders*, Jörg Gries
Institut für Organische Chemie, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Fax: +49(241)8092127; e-Mail: enders@rwth-aachen.de;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 3 June 2005
Publication Date:
12 October 2005 (online)

Abstract

A versatile asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted azetidine-2-carboxylic acids and 2-substituted azetidine-3-carboxylic acids via 1,3-amino alcohols with excellent stereoselectivities (de ÷ 96%, ee ÷ 96%) is reported. The high asymmetric inductions were achieved employing the SAMP/RAMP-hydrazone methodology. A phenyl moiety was used as a synthetic equivalent of the carboxylic acid function. In addition, the amino acids prepared were tested as organocatalysts in an asymmetric aldol reaction.