Synthesis of phenylglycine derivatives as potent and selective antagonists of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors

The syntheses of a range of ring and α-substituted 4-phosphonophenylglycines are described. A brief discussion of the antagonist activities of compounds 4–10 on group I, II and III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors expressed in the neonatal rat spinal cord is included.