Synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives by the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of N-arylglycine esters with α-hydroxy ketones

Metal-free photocatalyzed homo- and cross-dimerizations of α-hydroxyl ketones via dual C(sp3)–H functionalization: synthesis of 2,3-dihydroxyl-1,4-butanediones

“…For example, the addition of an α-C–H bond of α-hydroxyl ketone to aldehydes enables the synthesis of α,β-dihydroxyl ketones. 5 Analogously, imines, 6 electron-deficient alkenes, 7 and several other unsaturated systems 8 have been successfully used as acceptors in such C–H addition reactions. Conversely, α-hydroxyl ketones could also act as electrophilic precursors by undergoing in situ oxidation to generate vicinal diketones, allowing efficient and facile synthesis of diversely functionalized heterocyclic compounds in the presence of nucleophilic partners such as diamines (Scheme 1a, right).…”