Reaction of 1-(3,4-methenedioxyphenyl)-2-acetone, chloroform, (+)-, (-)-PhCHMeNH2, and potassium hydroxide was carried out in dichloromethane-water at -5 to -10?with triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the phase transfer catalyst. The reaction products I were hydrogenolyzed and hydrolyzed to yield the (+)- and (-)-a-methyldopa.

Key words: PHASE TRANSFER CATALYSIS, AMINES, METHYLDOPA, CHIRALITY, MESOTOMY, INDUCTION