Synthesis of 3-aminoaspartic acid derivatives from glycine precursors

3-Aminoaspartic acid derivatives 3 have been synthesized via stereoselective alkylation of α-acetyloxyglycine Schiff base 2 with the enolate of glycine anion equivalent 1 as a carbon nucleophile in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and BINAP at room temperature. High chemical yields and moderate stereoselectivities were observed. The enantiomeric excess of the dl diastereomer can be increased to 95% after a single recrystallization from isopropanol and hexanes.