Synthesis 2005(17): 2927-2933  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872170
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A New Trimeric Cinchona Alkaloid as a Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalyst for the Synthesis of Asymmetric α-Amino Acids

Ayyanar Siva*a, Eagambaram Muruganb
a Department of Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University, Gandhigram 624 302, TN, India
b Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, TN, India
Fax: +91(451)2453071; e-Mail: ptcsiva@yahoo.co.in;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 1 March 2005
Publication Date:
12 August 2005 (online)

Abstract

A new trimeric cinchona alkaloid, the quaternary ammonium salt, α,α′,α′′-tris[O(9)-allylcinchonidinium-(4-methylphen­oxymethyl)]benzene trichloride, has been synthesized and used as an efficient phase-transfer catalyst in asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester with very good yield (up to 97%) and high enantioselectivity (up to 98%).