Fa. Davis et al., Applications of the sulfinimine-mediated asymmetric strecker synthesis to the synthesis of alpha-alkyl alpha-amino acids, J ORG CHEM, 65(25), 2000, pp. 8704-8708
Addition of Et2AlCN and i-PrOH to ketosulfinimines (N-sulfinyl imines) affo
rds corresponding alpha -alkyl alpha -amino nitriles in moderate to goad yi
elds. The diastereoselectivity is largely dependent on the E/Z isomer ratio
of the ketosulfinimine. Hydrolysis of the diastereomericelly pure amino ni
triles affords enantiopure alpha -alkyl alpha -amino acids in moderate to g
ood yields.