Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted-α-amino acids by double nucleophilic addition to cyanohydrins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00983-6

The synthesis of tertiary carbinamines was achieved by the double nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagents to cyanohydrins. Titanium isopropoxide was found to promote the process. In a typical example, the rapid conversion of a carbinamine to the corespondlng α,α-disubstituted- α-amino acid was also demonstrated.