A simple and efficient synthetic method towards α-substituted acrylic esters has been
developed using the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction with HCHO after alkylation
of phosphonoacetates in a one-pot reaction. This method allows the smooth introduction
of various side-chains, such as natural amino acids and other biologically relevant
substituents. The use of mild conditions, inexpensive reagents, short reaction times
and simple work-up and purification steps provides an effective and general alternative
to cumbersome multistep and low-yielding procedures described to date.
Key words
acrylates - Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction - amino-acid analogues - one-pot synthesis
- β-amino acids
