The Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Amino Acids by Phase-Transfer Catalysis with Achiral Schiff Base Esters

The development and application of chiral phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) for the enantioselective synthesis of optically active alpha-amino acid derivatives using achiral Schiff base esters developed in the author's laboratory and by others is reviewed. Phase-transfer catalysts derived from the Cinchona alkaloids have been exploited as inexpensive and attractive organocatalysts in the chiral PTC process. The recent evolution and use of these …