Catalytic enantioselective 5-hydroxyisoxazolidine synthesis: An asymmetric entry to β-amino acids

The highly chemo- and enantioselective organocatalytic tandem reaction between N-carbamate-protected hydroxylamines and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The reaction represents a unique entry for the asymmetric synthesis of 5-hydroxyisoxazolidines, oxazolidin-5-ones or γ-hydroxyamino alcohols in high yields and 90-99% ee. A procedure for the conversion of the oxazolidin-5-ones into the corresponding β-amino acids is also described.