DBU Catalysed Enantioselective Degradative Rearrangement: a Way to Tetrasubstituted 2‐Aryl‐2‐Amino Esters

Herein we report a catalytic, easily scalable protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of Tetrasubstituted α-aryl-α-amino acid derivatives, using a biphasic system composed by catalytic DBU in DME and aqueous solutions of Na2CO3. Under very mild reaction conditions, without using metal or chiral additives, this heterogeneous system promotes the degradative rearrangement of functionalized N-aryl sulphonyl α-amino esters into the corresponding tetrasubstituted 2-aryl-2-amino esters, with high enantiomeric ratios (up to 97.5:2.5) and good yields (up to 95%). (Figure presented.).