Development of Optically Active Amino Acids Containing Tetraphenylmethane Core

The synthesis of novel amino acids containing a tetraphenylmethane core was achieved by employing the Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction between a triarylmethyl cation and aniline as the key reaction. Optical resolution of one of the racemic products was achieved by preparative HPLC using a chiral stationary phase column, and the absolute configuration of one enantiomer was determined by X‐ray crystallography. The optically active amino acids can be utilized as novel chiral building blocks. To demonstrate this, the synthesis of an optically active Pd complex was carried out. Furthermore, in the context of applications in digital polymers, the synthesis of a tripeptide with methane, adamantane, and tetraphenylmethane cores was also achieved.