METHYL N-[(2R,5S)-(1-BENZYL-5-METHOXYPYRR OLIDIN-2-YL)CARBONYL-(S)-AMINO]-3-PHENYLPROPANOATE

In order to prepare new chiral auxiliaries useful in developing a new method of synthesis of optically pure amines or beta-amino acids, an u nsymmetric derivative of pyrrolidine has been obtained, methyl lidin-2 -yl)carbonyl-(S)-amino]-3-phenylpropanoate, C24H28N2O5. This has been crystallized and subjected to X-ray analysis in order to ascertain the absolute configuration of the two asymmetric C atoms of the ring, The five-membered ring is half-chair shaped. An intramolecular hydrogen b ond links the amino N atom of the phenylalanine group to the carbonyl of the 5-methoxycarbonyl group.