Organocatalytic Asymmetric Decarboxylative Amination of β-Keto Acids: Access to Optically Active α-Amino Ketones and 1,2-Amino Alcohols.

An organocatalytic asymmetric decarboxylative amination reaction of β-keto acids is described. Under mild reaction conditions, a series of chiral α-amino ketones were obtained in good to high yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). A chiral 1,2-amino alcohol was synthesized from the corresponding decarboxylative amination product in several steps without loss of enantioselectivity.