Synthesis 2005(6): 933-938  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861812
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of Non-Natural Amino Acids Based on the Ruthenium-Catalysed Oxidation of a Phenyl Group to Carboxylic Acid

Panagiota Moutevelis-Minakakis, Charalambos Sinanoglou, Vassilios Loukas, George Kokotos*
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
Fax: +30(210)7274761; e-Mail: gkokotos@cc.uoa.gr;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 27 July 2004
Publication Date:
21 February 2005 (online)

Abstract

An efficient method for the synthesis of enantiopure β-, γ-, and δ-amino acids with proteinogenic side chains, starting from natural α-amino acids, was developed. The method is based on the ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation of a phenyl group to a carboxylic acid. β-Amino acids may be prepared starting from Boc-phenylalaninol. The route described for the synthesis of γ- and δ-amino acids permits the insertion of any chain length between the amino and carboxy functionalities as a result of the original choice of the starting ylide chain length.