Abstract 21 (Z)-α-N-benzoylamino-β-arylacrylic acids and their esters were prepared by known procedures and hydrogenated to the corresponding optically active α-benzoyl-β- arylalanine derivatives with optical yields in the range of 82–95% ee using the cationic rhodium complex of “PROPRAPHOS” as the chiral catalyst. No electronical influences of the substituents at the aryl moiety on the enantioselectivity were observed but a sterical one, ...
