Synthesis of α‐Aryl Esters and Nitriles: Deaminative Coupling of α‐Aminoesters and α‐Aminoacetonitriles with Arylboronic Acids

Transition-metal-free synthesis of α-aryl esters and nitriles using arylboronic acids with α-aminoesters and α-aminoacetonitriles, respectively, as the starting materials has been developed. The reaction represents a rare case of converting C(sp(3))-N bonds into C(sp(3))-C(sp(2)) bonds. The reaction conditions are mild, demonstrate good functional-group tolerance, and can be scaled up.