Catalytic Asymmetric Alkylation of Nucleophiles: Asymmetric Synthesis of α‐Alkylated Amino Acids

The synthesis of modified peptides depends to a large extent on α‐alkylated amino acids. Such amino acids can be prepared in a novel asymmetric synthesis with readily available azlactones: the allylic alkylations of a variety of azlactones catalyzed by palladium proceeds with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities [Eq. (a)].