Alkylation of camphor imines of glycinates. Diastereoselectivity as a function of electronic factors in the alkylating agent

Alkylation of the (R)-camphor imine of tert-butyl glycinate with a variety of alkylating agents gave diastereoselectivities ranging from 0–100%. Simple alkyl halides larger than methyl give de's (diastereomeric excesses) of ca. 50% whereas those derived from allylic type systems afford de's of 75–100%. The results are best explained by invoking a transition state interaction between the π system of the alkylating agent and the imine which, for steric reasons, requires alkylation to occur from the pro-R face.