Amino Acids as a Chiral Pool: Synthesis of (S)‐and (R)‐2‐N‐Carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindane from (S)‐ and (R)‐Phenylalanines

Abstract

Enantioselective syntheses of (R)‐and (S)‐2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindanes from (R)‐ and (S)‐phenylalanines, respectively, are described. A Friedel–Crafts reaction employing N‐carbomethoxy phenylalanine leads to chiral 2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐1‐indanone, which is diastereoselectively reduced to 1‐hydroxy‐2‐N‐carbomethoxyindane. After protection of the hydroxyl group, a regioselective nitration gives a 6‐nitroindane intermediate, which upon hydrogenation affords (R)‐or (S)‐2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindane.

Keywords:

• Amino acids
• aminoindane
• chiral pool
• phenylalanine