Contrast performance in catalytic ability—new cinchona phase transfer catalysts for asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids

Two new cinchona phase transfer catalysts are prepared from dihydrocinchonidine using 13-picenylmethyl bromide and 1-pyrenylmethyl bromide, respectively. A total contrast in catalytic efficiency is observed during the asymmetric alkylation of glycinate esters; with one catalyst, the reaction is either incomplete or the enantioselectivity is very poor (15% ee) while the other catalyst afforded high selectivity up to 94% ee.