Huang Taisheng, Keh Charlene C K, Li Chao-Jun
Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Chem Commun (Camb). 2002 Oct 21(20):2440-1. doi: 10.1039/b204585k.
A method for the synthesis of alpha-amino acid derivatives and amines is developed via a zinc-mediated conjugate addition reaction of alkyl halides to alpha-phthalimidoacrylate derivatives and nucleophilic addition to imines in the presence of NH4Cl in water. No reaction was observed in the absence of water.