Synthesis of side-chain functionalized amino acid derivatives through reaction of alkyl nitronates with α-bromoglycine derivatives

One-pot protocol to synthesize N-(β-nitro)amides by tandem Henry/Ritter reaction

A novel, efficient and atom economical one pot protocol for the synthesis of N-(β-nitro)amides has been described by combining the Henry reaction with the Ritter reaction.

General route for preparing β-nitrocarbonyl compounds using copper thermal redox catalysis

Using a simple copper catalyst, the alkylation of nitroalkanes with α-bromocarbonyls is now possible. This method provides a general, functional group tolerant route to β-nitrocarbonyl compounds, including nitro amides, esters, ketones, and aldehydes. The highly sterically dense, functional group rich products from these reactions can be readily elaborated into a range of complex nitrogen-containing molecules, including highly substituted β-amino acids.

Preparation of beta-nitroalanine using the Easton three-component coupling method

A simple one-step preparation of beta-nitroalanine has been developed using the Easton three-component coupling method. To date one limitation of this method has been that use of nitromethane as the nitroalkane component does not yield beta-nitroalanine. We report that use of the dipotassium salt of nitroacetic acid in the Easton three-component coupling gives beta-nitroalanine in high yield, presumably via facile decarboxylation of a beta-nitroaspartate intermediate.