Catalytic Aerobic Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Azlactones en Route to α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids

Org Lett. 2020 Jun 5;22(11):4164-4170. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c01248. Epub 2020 May 12.

Abstract

We developed a catalytic aerobic method to synthesize α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids through cross-dehydrogenative coupling of azlactones. Combining an iron catalyst with a bisoxazolidine ligand resulted in high catalytic performance, and cross-coupling with an indole proceeded smoothly under aerobic conditions. A wide variety of α-aryl and aliphatic amino acid derived azlactones were applied to the present catalysis. In addition, a quaternary carbon could be constructed using oxindole and benzofuranone under aerobic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Hydrogenation
  • Lactones / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Lactones
  • Copper