STEREOSELECTIVE ADDITION OF GRIGNARD-DERIVED ORGANOCOPPER REAGENTS TO N-ACYLIMINIUM IONS - SYNTHESIS OF ENANTIOPURE 5-SUBSTITUTED AND 4,5-SUBSTITUTED PROLINATES
Alkylation of nonracemic N-acyliminium ions derived from proline and 4-substituted prolines has been extended to different types of Grignard-derived organocopper reagents. The reaction proceeds with high yield and stereoselectivity to yield 5-mono- and 4,5-disubstituted prolinates. The stereochemistry is controlled by the formation of a RCu-pi complex intermediate between the N-acyliminium ion, the carbonyl group of the ester, and the copper species.