The enantioselective alkylation of active methylene compounds occupies the central position in the field of asymmetric phase-transfer catalysis. Recently, Cinchona alkaloid ammonium salts have been developed as efficient chiral phase-transfer catalysts. We investigated the role of the electronic factor in the catalysts. (Org. Lett., 2002, 4, 4245-4248)

Since the pioneering work by Merrifield 1963, the applications of solid-phase synthesis to synthetic chemistry have expanded greatly. Recently, we developed the asymmetric phase-transfer alkylation of the iminester 4 in the presence of Cinchona-derived ammonium salts, and successfully applied to the enantioselective synthesis of natural and non-natural alpha-amino acids. (J. Org. Chem., 2005, 70, 1904-1906)