An effective route to β2-amino acid derivatives via Pd-catalyzed regioselective hydrocarboxylation of 1,2-disubstituted enimides

An effective Pd(0)-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of 1,2-disubstituted enimides with formic acid and HCOOPh is described. A variety of beta(2)-amino acid derivatives are obtained in good yield with high regioselectivity without using external toxic CO gas.