Enantioselective Synthesis of (R)‐2‐Methylalkanoic Acids: A Convenient Approach to α‐Substituted Chiral Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Abstract

Racemization‐free deacylation of N‐acylimidazolidine‐2‐ones using lithium hydroperoxide affords the corresponding α‐substituted chiral carboxylic acids in high yield while permitting recovery of the chiral auxiliary.

Keywords:

• Alkylation
• Chiral
• Enantioselctive
• Lithium hydroperoxide

Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Junying Nie of the Chemicals Affecting Insect Behavior Laboratory for assistance with syntheses. Mention of tradenames or commercial products are solely for the purpose of providing specific information and do not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.