A Reinvestigation of the α-Alkylation of 4-Monosubstituted 2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-ones (‘azlactones’): A general entry into highly functionalized α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids

Novel, more reliable and general reaction conditions for the α-alkylation of 4-monosubstituted 2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-ones ( = 4-monosubstituted 2-phenyl-azlactones) rac- 2 to 4,4-disubstituted 2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-ones rac- 1 were found (Scheme 2). Thus, a whole range of highly functionalized rac- 1 were prepared in medium-to-good overall yields (40-90%, see Table). Azlactones rac- 1 are ideal precursors for the synthesis of optically pure α,α -disubstituted (R)- and (S)-α-amino acids.