
75
4
Enolate Anion and
Related Reactions
An important general strategy for the preparation of amino acids involves generating
a carbanion from an acid derivative and subsequent reaction with another suitably
functionalized derivative. This reaction may be the conjugate addition discussed in
Chapter 3, Section 3.2.2, but alkylation or acyl addition reactions may also be used.
When appropriate functionality is present, these reactions constitute a useful route
to non-α-amino acids.
4.1 ACID, ESTER, AND MALONATE ENOLATE ANION REACTIONS
The reaction of an ester bearing an α-hydrogen atom with a nonnucleophilic base
such as lithium diisopropylamide ...