LAUSR

Abstract We report on a Pd-catalyzed carbonylative α-arylation of azlactones derived from alanine, providing facile access to α,α-disubstituted amino acids after an alcoholysis step. A range of aryl iodides proved to be suitable substrates in this formal four-component approach, providing the desired products in good to high yields. Other amino acids, such as methionine, leucine and phenylalanine could be functionalized in a similar manner with this methodology. The possibility for isotope labeling (13C, 2H) was demonstrated, as well as chemoselective transformations of the tricarbonyl-containing molecules.