Highly enantioselective zinc/BINOL-catalyzed alkynylation of α-ketoimine ester: a new entry to optically active quaternary α-CF₃ α-amino acids

Abstract

An effective method for highly enantioselective alkynylation of ketoimine (α-trifluoromethyl ketoimine ester) has been developed via a zinc/BINOL catalyzed process. This protocol provides a useful and facile access to optically active quaternary α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids and related derivatives of interest in life sciences.