A Simple and Direct Synthesis of Erythro‐β‐amino‐α‐hydroxy Esters from trans‐β‐Phenylglycidic Ester

Abstract

trans‐β‐Phenylglycidic esters undergo ring opening when treated in tert‐butyl alcohol with primary amines (R–NH₂, with R = secondary group or tertiary group), which attacks epoxide exclusively at C‐3 and avoids aminolysis of the ester group affording the erythro‐β‐amino‐α‐hydroxy esters as the sole product.

Keywords:

• Erythro‐β‐amino‐α‐hydroxy esters
• tert‐Butyl alcohol
• Biological activity
• trans‐β‐Phenylglycidic ester
• Ester group

Acknowledgment

We thank Pr. Driss A. for providing the x‐ray crystal analysis. Thanks are also due to Pr. Labassi T. for interesting and valuable English discussions.