Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Mannich Reaction of Malonates with α‐Amido Sulfones

The highly enantioselective reaction between in situ generated, Cbz‐protected azomethines and malonates in the presence of 150 mol % of potassium carbonate (50 % w/w) and 1 mol % of quinine‐derived quaternary ammonium bromides as phase‐transfer organocatalysts has been developed. This study reports a novel approach for the asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction and a wide range of azomethines, including those derived from enolizable aldehydes, is tolerated by the present system. The adducts, obtained in excellent yields with ee up to 98 %, are suitable precursors of optically pure β‐amino acids.