Asymmetric alkylation of carboxyamides by using trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines as chiral auxiliaries

trans-2,5-Bis(methoxymethyl)- and trans-2,5-bis(methoxymethoxymethyl)pyrrolidines proved to be excellent chiral auxiliaries for the asymmetric alkylation of the corresponding carboxyamide enolates giving good chemical yield and high stereoselectivity (invariably over 95% de), with remarkable flexibility to substrates and reaction conditions.