Enantioselective synthesis of aroylalanine derivatives

In this paper we report the development of a highly enantioselective method for the synthesis of aroylalanines. The approach described employs a protected 2-amino-4-bromopent-4-enoic acid, generated via the asymmetric phase-transfer catalyzed alkylation of a glycine imine, as a key intermediate. Suzuki coupling with an aryl boronic acid followed by ozonolysis of the resulting styrene provides efficient access to the aroylalanine derivatives. The utility of this methodology is illustrated by the synthesis of l-kynurenine along with several aroylalanine inhibitors of the kynurenine pathway.