Synthesis of arylglycines from CO2 through α-amino organomanganese species.

In the presence of three readily available chemicals, Mn powder, BF3·OEt2, and LiCl, N-acyl-N,O-acetals were successfully converted into the corresponding α-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 α-amino acids in two steps.