The Betti base: absolute configuration and routes to a family of related chiral nonracemic bases

A detailed protocol for the resolution of the Betti base [i.e. 1-(alpha-aminobenzyl)-2-naphthol] was investigated and the absolute configuration of the two isomers was established by means of an X-ray diffractometric study. A series of optically active derivatives was also prepared. The list includes the N-benzyl- and the N,N,O-trimethyl derivatives. The N,N-dimethyl derivative was prepared in racemic form by means of the Betti reaction and was resolved into the two enantiomers with an extremely easy and efficient procedure. The O-methyl derivative was prepared in a racemic form and subjected to resolution. The configuration of each base was determined by correlation with the configuration of the Betti amine. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.