Synthesis of optically active alpha-arylglycines: Stereoselective Mannich-type reaction with a new chiral template

Mannich-type reaction of phenols with iminolactone 4, readily prepared from commercially available phenylglycine, proceeded with high stereoselectivit y to give alpha -arylglycine derivatives. The reaction was also applicable to other electron-rich aromatic compounds and aryl boronic acids. These add ucts could be readily converted to the corresponding optically active alpha -arylglycines.