Factors affecting the efficiency and stereoselectivity of α-amino acid synthesis by the Petasis reaction

The use of chiral secondary amines containing only one branched substituent has been shown to give optimal yields and stereoselectivities in the preparation of α-amino acids using the Petasis reaction. While the use of chiral primary amines generally gives products in low to moderate diastereoselectivity, chiral secondary amines generally give products in >95:5 diastereoselectivity. Additionally, the use of amines with two chiral (and by definition, branched) N-alkyl substituents results in significantly reduced yields with respect to to secondary amines with one or no branched N-alkyl substituents.