A new method for the preparation of functionalized unnatural α-H-α-amino acid derivatives

A new method for the preparation of α-H-α-amino acids is reported based on the α-alkylation of iminoacetic acid esters or amides. These imines are readily available by the reaction of glyoxylic acid esters with branched primary amines. The subsequent reaction with methanolic ammonia gave the corresponding iminoacetic acid amides. α-Alkylation of these imines with various electrophiles under basic conditions, followed by an acidic hydrolysis, gave α-amino acids, esters, or amides in up to 93% yield. α-Alkylation under chiral PTC conditions resulted in mono-alkylated amino acids with 90% ee.