Dual Catalytic Decarboxylative Allylations of α-Amino Acids and Their Divergent Mechanisms

The room temperature radical decarboxylative allylation of N-protected alpha-amino acids and esters has been accomplished via a combination of palladium and photoredox catalysis to provide homoallylic amines. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the stability of the alpha-amino radical, which is formed by decarboxylation, dictates the predominant reaction pathway between competing mechanisms.