Synthesis of Arylglycines from CO2 through α-Amino Organomanganese Species

In the presence of three readily available chemicals, Mn powder, BF3 center dot OEt2, and LiCl, N-acyl-N,O-acetals were successfully converted into the corresponding alpha-amino acids (arylglycine derivatives) under 1 atm of a CO2 atmosphere in high yields. The LiCl additive is necessary in order to increase the solubility and the nucleophilicity of an organomanganese intermediate. The products thus obtained were transformed into free alpha-amino acids in two steps.