ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of α-(Benzylamino)cyclobutanones

An organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-(benzylamino)cyclobutanones has been achieved by employing a tandem condensation/intramolecular rearrangement/proton transfer reaction and starting from racemic α-hydroxycyclobutanone and a selection of benzylamines. This reaction sequence afforded the products in good to high yields with moderate to high enantioselectivities.