addition of secondary amines to α,β- or β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated esters was efficiently achieved under high pressure (10-16 kbar) in protic solvents in the absence of any catalyst. The expected cumbersome β-aminesters bearing a tertiary amine directly connected to a quaternary carbon atom could be isolated in fair to good yields. By using α,β,δ,γ,-unsaturated esters (alkyl sorbate), the addition
A highly diastereoselective two-step synthesis of trans-para-menthanic epoxyesters from parent para-menthenic esters is presented. Among bromolactones or bromohydrines obtained with NBS in the first step, only those, which afforded trans-epoxides, reacted.