Ethylenediamine-derived β-enamino amides are used as equivalents of amide enolate synthons in C-acylation reactions with N-protected amino acids. Domino fragmentation of the obtained intermediates leads to functionalised β-keto amides, bearing a protected amino group in their side chain.
Keywords: C-acylation; amino acids; domino reaction; enamines; enaminones; keto amides; retro-Mannich.