Synthesis of α-Halocinnamate Esters via Solvolytic Rearrangement of Trichloroallyl Alcohols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00010a027

Aryl trichlorovinyl ketones undergo regioselective reduction to the corresponding carbinols with sodium borohydride in alcoholic solvents and are transformed to the (Z)-α-chlorocinnamate ester derivatives via an acid-catalyzed allylic rearrangement.Micharl addition of ammonia to these ester derivatives affords cis- and/or trans-aziridine amides.The facile rearrangement allows the synthesis of d,l-phenylalanine derived from perchloroethylene and toluene.