Direct synthesis of unprotected α-amino acids via allylation of hydroxyglycine

Abstract

Hydroxyglycine, the ammonia adduct of glyoxylic acid, was found to react with various allylboronates in the presence of triethylamine in methanol to give unprotected α-amino acids directly with high stereoselectivity. For instance, the reactions with (E)- and (Z)-crotylboronates afforded the corresponding anti- and syn-crotylated products (isoleucine and alloisoleucine after hydrogenation) with high diastereoselectivity, respectively. Interestingly, it was found that isomerization of the products (γ-adducts to α-adducts) occurred under the reaction conditions in some cases. Control experiments have suggested that the isomerization took place via 2-aza (or azonia) Cope rearrangement of imines derived from γ-adducts and glyoxylic acid.Key words: hydroxyglycine, glyoxylic acid, allylboronates, α-amino acids, allylglycines, isoleucine, alloisoleucine, stereoselective reactions, isomerization, 2-aza (azonia) Cope rearrangement.