Photocatalytic aerobic cross-coupling reaction of N-substituted anilines with N-aryl glycine esters: Synthesis of alpha-aryl alpha-amino esters

A novel photocatalytic cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction of N-aryl glycine esters with N-substituted anilines has been developed. The reaction proceeds effectively using methylene blue as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation without any metal, chemical oxidant or additive. A variety of alpha-aryl alpha-amino derivatives were prepared in moderate to excellent yields with a high para-regioselectivity. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.