Diethyl acetyl rhodium

N-Acetyl-(R)-phanylalanlna (6). The rhodium catalyst was obtained by adding (-) dlop 5 (from diethyl tartrate) to a benzene solution of [RhCi(cyclooctene)2]2 under Ar, and stirring for tS mn A solution of the Rh catalyst (1 mM in EtOH PhH 4 1) was introduced under Hj to a solution of a-N acetylamino- phenytacrylic acid 4 (molar ratio Rh 4 1.540) The solvent was evaporated, the residue dissolved In 0 5 N NaOH, the catalyst was filtered and the solution acidified and concentrated to dryness to give 6 (81% ee) in 90 95% yield... 

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