Chiral auxiliaries and their use in the synthesis of chiral molecules

Abstract

Chiral imidazolidones and imidazolidinethiones having the general formula: ##STR1## where (a) Z is either oxygen or sulphur (b) the R groups are independently selected from hydrogen or R.sup.2 CO where R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 alkenyl or benzyl and (c) the two R.sup.1 groups are either (1) identical groups selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl or alkoxy substituted phenyl or (2) such that together they form an alkylene group of formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n=3 to 8. Most preferred are those compounds where both R groups are R.sup.2 CO and there is a C.sub.2 axis of symmetry running along the CZ double bond. Compounds of formula (I) where at least one R group is R.sup.2 CO are efficient chiral auxiliaries for a range of asymmetric electrophilic substitution reactions when used in homochiral form. As such they are important tools for synthesising a range of chiral pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.