α-Amino acid synthesis via a Cu(II) chiral Lewis acid mediated addition of soft carbon nucleophiles to glycine cation equivalents

Abstract

A new method for the formation of α-amino acid derivatives via Lewis acid mediated additions of soft carbon nucleophiles to carbamate protected glycine cation equivalents is described. A number of derivatives have been prepared in moderate yields and up to 85% ee using a Cu(II)-diamine catalyst combination.