Access to γ²-Amino Acids

Significance

The two groups present different catalytic systems for a conjugate addition reaction of aldehydes 1 to nitroethylene (2) as Michael acceptor. High yields and high enantiomeric ratios have been achieved after in situ reduction to the corresponding γ-nitro alcohols. By subsequent Jones oxidation, followed by reduction of the nitro group and protection of the resulting amino group an efficient access to protected γ²-amino acids 3 has been realized.