Catalytic Synthesis of Optically Active β-Amino Acid Derivatives

In continuation to our earlier reviews on organocatalysis, a systematic approach for the synthesis of chiral β-amino acid derivatives in the presence of mainly organocatalysts and transition metal catalysts are described. Asymmetric Mannich reactions catalyzed by proline and bifunctional organocatalysts are explained, whereas metal catalysis based on hydrogenation, Mannich and conjugate additions are elaborated. The resulting β-amino carbonyl moieties are essential structural units of many natural products and are important chiral building blocks for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing bioactive molecules.