2-Aryl-2-nitroacetates as Central Precursors to Aryl Nitromethanes, α-Ketoesters, and α-Amino Acids

Nitroarylacetates are useful small molecular building blocks that act as precursors to alpha-ketoesters and aryl nitromethanes as well as alpha-amino acids. Methods were developed that produce each of these compound types in good yields. Two different conditions for decarboxylation are discussed for substrates with neutral and electron-poor aryl groups versus electron-rich aryl groups. For formation of the alpha-ketoesters, new mild conditions for the Nef disproportionation were identified.