Synthesis and epimerization studies of iminolactones prepared via reaction of 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-tetralone
and methyl alaninate or phenylalaninate are described. The stereochemistry and mechanism
of epimerization was studied and explained. The enantiomeric purity of the tetralone
template is fully transformed to enantiomeric excess of all diastereomeric products.
Deracemization of unnatural α-amino acids is considered.
epimerizations - isomerizations - α-amino acids - iminolactones - chiral oxazinones
- mechanism