Direct catalytic asymmetric three-component Mannich reactions with dihydroxyacetone: enantioselective synthesis of amino sugar derivatives

Highly enantioselective, amino acid-catalyzed, one-pot three-component asymmetric Mannich reactions between dihydroxyacetone, p-anisidine, and aldehydes are presented. The reactions proceeded with high chemo- and stereoselectivity and furnished the corresponding α,α′-dihydroxy-β-aminoketones in high yields with 82-95% ee.