Catalytic Asymmetric Syntheses of Tyrosine Surrogates

Amino acid esters 5-11 as tyrosine mimics have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99.6% ee) and in good overall chemical yields. The key step in the sequence was the Burk's [Rh(COD)(2R,5R)-Et-DuPhos]BF(4)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides with a variety of reactive functional groups.