An expedient synthesis of 6-arylpiperidine-2,4-diones by chain-extension of β-aryl-β-aminoacids

The synthesis of novel 6-arylpiperidine-2,4-diones is described in five steps starting from β-aryl-β-aminoacids via the chain extension of the latter into δ-aryl-δ-amino-β-ketoacids. The chemical pathway involves an acylation of Meldrumʹs acid and yields useful building blocks for heterocyclic chemistry.