The stereochemistry of hippurate alkylation

Alkylation of the hippurate esters of trans 2-(p-substituted phenyl)cyclohexanol with benzyl bromide affords phenylalanine derivatives in high chemical yield. The reaction stereoselectivity varies from 20 to >98% depending on the aromatic group in the cyclohexyl auxiliary. A model that correctly predicts the sense of the induction is proposed.