Direct asymmetric amination of α-branched cyclic ketones catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid.

ABSTRACT: Here we report the direct asymmetric amination of α-substituted cyclic ketones catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid, yielding products with a N-containing quaternary stereocenter in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Kinetic resolution of the starting ketone was also found to occur on some of the substrates under milder conditions, providing enantioenriched α-branched ketones, another important building block in organic synthesis. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated in the short synthesis of (S)-ketamine, the more active enantiomer of this versatile pharmaceutical.

SUBMITTER: Yang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4562282 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature