Visible-Light-Promoted & alpha;-Benzylation of N-Phenyl & alpha;-Amino Acids to & alpha;-Amino Phenylpropanoids

A new method for the synthesis of & alpha;-amino phenylpropanoidsunder blue light-emitting diode irradiation has been developed through & alpha;-C-H benzylation of readily available N-phenylglycine ester with benzyl oxalates as a coupling partner under mildconditions. A range of N-phenyl glycine esters weresuccessfully converted to & alpha;-amino phenylpropanoid products inmoderate to good yields. The utility of this methodology is underlinedby its application to the late-state modification of natural products.