A Protocol for an Asymmetric Synthesis of γ-Amino Acids

A new and practical method for the asymmetric synthesis
of γ-amino
acids from β,γ-butenolides by an in situ esterification,
condensation, and reduction in a one-pot procedure is described. This
method is quite general for the preparation of both enantiomers of
aryl or aliphatic γ-amino acids in high yields. These γ-amino-acid
derivatives were also shown to be versatile synthetic intermediates
for further transformations by their conversion to γ-lactams,
δ-amino alcohols, and hydrolysis products in high yields with
no racemization.