Asymmetric hydroalkylation of alkynes and allenes with imidazolidinone derivatives: α-alkenylation of α-amino acids

This work reports a new method for the synthesis of quaternary α-alkenyl substituted amino acids by the enantio- and diastereoselective addition of imidazolidinone derivatives to alkynes and allenes. Further hydrolysis of the imidazolidinone products under acidic conditions afforded biologically relevant amino acid derivatives. This method is geometry-selective (E-isomer), enantio- and diastereoselective, and products were obtained in good to excellent yields. The utility of this new methodology is proved by its operational simplicity and the successful accomplishment of gram-scale reactions. Experimental and computational studies suggest the key role of Li in terms of selectivity and support the proposed reaction mechanism.