A Straightforward Synthesis of Enantiopure (1S,2R)-Ephenamine

An enantioselective six-step synthesis of (1S,2R)-ephenamine starting from readily available chiral amino acid is disclosed presenting 26% overall yield and high optical purity. The use of chiral phenylglycine as starting material was also studied and did not present satisfactory results due to a very sensitive a-carbonyl/benzylic stereogenic center that, in our hands, led to racemization.
Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research