A new synthesis of α-amino acids. Amidoalkylation of active methylene compounds with glyoxylic acid derivatives

Abstract

The synthesis of N-acyl derivatives of α-amino-γ-keto acids (3,4) by the amidoalkylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (1) with glyoxylic acid-amide adducts (2) is described; the γ-ketoacids (4) were further converted to the corresponding butenolide (5) or α-acylaminobutyrolactone (6).