Catalytic enantioselective transaminiation of -keto esters: an organic approach to enzymatic reactions

The half-transamination reaction of (alpha)-keto esters with pyridoxamine or 4-picolylamine was found to be catalysed by different metal catalysts in organic solvents giving moderate yields and enantioselectivities of up to 37% ee for methyl-3-indole pyruvate.