Cumyl Ester as the C-Terminal Protecting Group in the Enantioselective Alkylation of Glycine Benzophenone Imine

Cumyl ester is an optimal C-terminal protecting group for glycine benzophenone imine in asymmetric alkylation reactions catalyzed by Cinchona chiral phase-transfer catalysts. High levels of enantioselectivity have been obtained (up to 94% ee) with this substrate, which provides an attractive alternative to the analogous tert-butyl ester. N-terminal imines and the C-terminal esters can be cleaved from alkylation products by hydrogenolysis, while maintaining acid-labile side chain protecting groups.