Practical and highly enantioselective synthesis of beta-alkynyl-beta-amino esters through Ag-catalyzed asymmetric mannich reactions of silylketene acetals and alkynyl imines.

ABSTRACT

[reaction see text] A readily available iso-leucine-based phosphine ligand is used to promote Ag-catalyzed Mannich reactions between silylketene acetals and various alkynyl imines. Reactions can be effected in the presence of 5 mol % catalyst, without the need for rigorous exclusion of air, and with commercially available solvents (without purification) to afford the desired beta-alkynyl-beta-amino esters in 84-94% ee and 61-91% isolated yield.