2- Methoxyalkanoic acids

Alkylation of 2-methoxymethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazoles affords 2-methoxyalkanoic acids with low enantiomeric excesses and with opposite configuration. ... 

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-methoxyalkanoic acids. Meyers et al. have prepared optically active 2-methoxyalkanoic acids by treatment of (1) with LDA followed by alkylation with an alkyl iodide, sulfate, or tosylate, (2). Acidification of (2) with 3 N HCl (95°, 3-4 hr.) gives the alkanoic acid (3). The yields of (3) are high, but optical yields are only 45-65%. 

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