Resolution of beta-unsaturated amines with isopropylidene glycerol hydrogen phthalate

1-Phenyl-2-propenylamine 2, 1-phenyl-2-propinylamine 3, 1-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethylamine 4, (E)-2-ethylidenecyclohexylamine 5 and α-methylallylamine hydrochloride 6 were selected as candidates for resolution with isopropylidene glycerol hydrogen phthalate 1, previously described as an efficient resolving agent of 1-arylalkylamines. With only the exception of 5, all these substrates were resolved by (S)-1. In particular both the enantiomers of 2 and 3 were obtained in excellent yields and with very high enantiomeric excesses. The absolute configurations of non-racemic forms of 2, 3 and 4, not prepared before except those of 3, were established by correlation with the respective hydrogenation products. The enantiomeric excesses of all the resolved substrates were accurately determined by chiral HPLC analysis. The fact that 1 resolves 4 and 6 but not their saturated analogues and shows higher efficiency in resolving 2 and 3 than 1-phenylpropylamine indicates the positive influence of the presence of β-unsaturation on the resolvability of aminic substrates with such an acid. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.