Stereoselective alkylation of aromatic compounds with threonine trifluoromethanesulfonates

Abstract

Alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates (alkyl triflates) have only been used in special cases for the alkylation of aromatic compounds. We have now succeeded in synthesizing the N-protected triflates of (S)- and (R)-serine methyl ester as well as the N-protected triflates 1 of all diastereomeric threonine methyl esters in very good yields and with complete retention of configuration.