Synthesis of α-Fluoro-α-amino Acid Derivatives via Photoredox-Catalyzed Carbofluorination

A mild, metal-free, regioselective carbofluorination of dehydroalanine derivatives has been developed. Alkyl radicals resulting from visible-light photoredox catalysis engage in a radical conjugate addition to dehydroalanine, with subsequent fluorination of the newly generated radical to afford an α-fluoro-α-amino acid. By using a highly oxidizing organic photocatalyst, this process incorporates non-stabilized primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals derived from commercially available alkyltrifluoroborates to furnish a wide range of fluorinated unnatural amino acids.