Highly enantioselective synthesis of anti aryl β-hydroxy α-amino esters via DKR transfer hydrogenation

An efficient preparation of highly enantiomerically enriched aryl β-hydroxy α-amino esters via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR), asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α-amino β-keto esters is described. The anti β-hydroxyl α-amino esters were obtained both in high yields and high diasteroselectivity. The observed high anti selectivity is inconsistent with the previous results in literature. The absolute stereochemistry of the aryl β-hydroxy α-amino esters was unambiguously confirmed via chemical derivatization as well as Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) techniques.