Highly diastereoselective synthesis of arylglycine derivatives via TFA-promoted Friedel–Crafts reactions of phenols with cyclic glyoxylate imines

Optically active α-arylglycine derivatives were synthesized by Brønsted acid (TFA)-promoted Friedel–Crafts reaction of various phenols with chiral cyclic glyoxylate imines (), followed by deprotection with Pd(OH)2/C under H2. The diastereoselectivities of the initially formed F–C reaction products are up to 99%.