Facile and efficient N-arylation of amino acid esters with (−)-methyl-3-dehydroshikimiate(3-MDHS): a bio-based and metal-free strategy leading to N-aryl amino acid derivatives

A novel and convenient bio-based protocol for the preparation of N-aryl amino acid derivatives from (−)-methyl-3-dehydroshikimate and amino acid esters via tandem cross-coupling and aromatization reactions has been developed. Various N-aryl amino acid esters were synthesized in moderate to high yields under mild and metal-free conditions without using aryl halides.