Stereoselective routes to substituted β-amino carbonyl compounds via heterodiene [4π+2π] cycloadditions of auxiliary-based C2 symmetric ketene acetals

Heterodiene [4π+2π] cycloadditions of (S,S)-4,5-diaryl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolanes 1 to a series of β-amido-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are diastereoselective (d.r.≥4:1). The products can be purified by trituration or crystallisation and hydrolysed with acid to generate the corresponding β-amido carbonyl compounds, the overall sequence effecting an auxiliary-based enantioselective conjugate addition of an acetate enolate, leading to β-aminoacid derivatives. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.