Efficient Synthesis of Symmetrical α,α-Disubstituted β-Amino Acids and α,α-Disubstituted Aldehydes via Dialkylation of Nucleophilic β-Alanine Equivalent

Homologation of the nucleophilic β-alanine equivalent β-Ala Ni(II)-PABP [Ni(II) complex of β-alanine Schiff base with 2-[N-(α-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (PABP), 1] via alkyl halide alkylation was systematically studied as a general method for preparing symmetrically α,α-disubstituted β-amino acids. The dialkylation reactions could be easily performed and did not require inert atmosphere, dried solvents, and low temperatures, thereby affording the benefits of operationally convenient experimental procedure and high atom economy. Further, the methodology developed by us can also be used to generate symmetrical α,α-disubstituted aldehydes through an alternative decomposition method.