New aniline-containing amino alcohols from trans-(R,R)-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-3-phenyloxirane as useful intermediates for the synthesis of chiral ligands, bases, and benzoxazine nucleus.

New enantiopure aniline-containing amino alcohols are directly derived from trans-(R,R)-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-3-phenyloxirane, by alternative regioselective double reductions. Subsequent selective alkylation procedures and derivatizations provide a rapid and high-yielding access to different chiral ligands, bases, and benzoxazines, without loss of optical purity.