Organocatalytic preparation of simple β-hydroxy and β-amino esters: low catalyst loadings and gram-scale synthesis.

A combined amino- and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed one-pot reaction sequence for the synthesis of simple enantioenriched β-hydroxy and β-amino esters using commercially available catalysts at low catalyst loadings has been developed. The desired products were obtained in high yield and excellent enantiopurity. The generation of quaternary stereocenters and application in gram-scale synthesis were also realized, with no requirements of inert or anhydrous reaction conditions, thus making this transformation a highly practical protocol.