The inverted ketene synthon: a double umpolung approach to enantioselective β2,3-amino amide synthesis

Chem Sci. 2018 Nov 12;10(4):1138-1143. doi: 10.1039/c8sc04330b. eCollection 2019 Jan 28.

Abstract

A stereocontrolled synthesis of β2,3-amino amides is reported. Innovation is encapsulated by the first use of nitroalkenes to achieve double umpolung in enantioselective β-amino amide synthesis. Step economy is also fulfilled by the use of Umpolung Amide Synthesis (UmAS) in the second step, delivering the amide product without intermediacy of a carboxylic acid or activated derivative. Molybdenum oxide-mediated hydride reduction provides the anti2,3-amino amide with high selectivity.