Novel approach to the synthesis of aliphatic and aromatic α-keto acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2012.06.078

A new practical and efficient synthesis of α-keto acids was accomplished starting from the synthon 1,4-diacetylpiperazine-2,5-dione. The synthesis encompasses both aromatic and aliphatic substrates proving to be versatile and innovative with excellent carbon economy and recycling of the glycine by-product.