Synthesis of Unusual Trifluoromethylated Amino Acids via Electrophilic Addition of 2-Methyl Azaarenes with α-Trifluoromethylimino Esters

Synthesis of unusual trifluoromethylated amino acids is described. Csp3-H functionalization of alkyl group directly attached to aromatic ring with a-iminoesters via electrophilic aminoalkylation is a viable approach for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated amino acids. The synthesis of racemic amino acids was achieved using catalytic amount of triflic acid under mild reaction conditions