An unusual electronic effect of an aromatic-F in phase-transfer catalysts derived from Cinchona-alkaloid

[GRAPHICS] Various N-benzylcinchonidinium salts were prepared to study electronic factors in the catalytic enantioselective phase-transfer alkylation of glycine anion equivalent. An ortho-fluoro substituent on the benzyl group in the quaternary ammonium salt dramatically increased the enantioselectivity In the alkylation. 0(9)-Allyi-N-2',3',4'-trifluorobenzylhydrocinchonidinium bromide (27), which gave the highest enantioselectivity of the catalysts studied, was used to prepare 12 alpha-alkylated amino acid derivatives in 94similar to>99% ee.