Asymmetric alpha-alkylation of phenylacetates using 2-alkylamino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyls as chiral auxiliaries.

alpha-Alkylation of 2-phenylacetate ester of 2-alkylamino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyls with various alkyl iodides proceeded with good stereoselectivities. An intramolecular hydrogen bonding between N-H group and the carbonyl oxygen seemed to play an important role for asymmetric induction. The auxiliary was also applicable to Diels-Alder reaction of an acrylate.