Enantioselective synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted thiohydantoins and hydantoins

Abstract A mild method to convert optically pure amino acid thiourea and urea derivatives to thiohydantoins and hydantoins, respectively, is described. It provides an efficient way to realize enantioselective synthesis of thiohydantoins and hydantoins with good to high isolated yields and enantiomeric purities. We found that the enantiomeric purities were highly dependent on the reaction conditions including bases, solvents, and temperature.