Stereoselective Nucleophilic Additions to Aldehydes and Synthesis of α-Amino-β- Hydroxy-Esters

Abstract: This thesis deals with the development of new reaction methodology as well as stereochemical investigations.The first part concerns the investigation of 1,2- and merged 1,2- and 1,3- asymmetric induction in Mukaiyama aldol additions to α-heteroatom and α,β- heteroatom substituted aldehydes respectively. In particular, the unexpected 1,2-syn selectivity obtained in the addition of sterically hindered nucleophiles to α-chloroaldehydes is examined, and an explanation for the observed stereochemical trends is proposed.The second part describes the development of a novel entry to α-amino-β- hydroxy esters by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of aldehydes and azomethine ylides, generated by thermolysis of aziridines.The third part deals with our efforts to develop a novel entry to vicinal all- carbon quaternary centers, based on an intramolecular domino Heck- carbonylation reaction using tetrasubstituted olefins.