Investigation of the asymmetric Birch reduction–alkylation of a chiral 5-arylbenzamide containing a carbamate group

The synthesis and asymmetric Birch reduction–alkylation of chiral benzamide 17 are described. Birch reductive alkylation of benzamide 17 was optimized to give the corresponding cyclohexa-1,4-diene products in 66–78% isolated yield and with high diastereoselectivity (dr: >98:2). The effects of performing the reduction in the presence and in the absence of tert-butyl alcohol are discussed.