Alpha-methylene-beta-amino ketone derivatives from beta-ketoallylsilanes

Beta-Ketoallylsilanes are synthesized by the Horner-Emmons reaction starting from novel silylated ketophosphonates and various aldehydes. The reactions of beta-ketoallylsilanes with NsONHCO2Et and CaO produce alpha-methylene-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-beta-amino ketones through the ring opening of the intermediate aziridine, which is favored by the presence of the trimethylsilyl group. With chiral beta-ketoallylsilanes we obtained a stereoselective amination reaction with a 90% diastereomeric excess. alpha-Methylene-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-beta-amino ketones are isolated in 39-60% yields and characterized.