Copper-catalyzed asymmetric N-H insertion reactions:: Couplings of diazo compounds with carbamates to generate α-amino acids

A Cu/chiral bipyridine catalyst has been developed for the asymmetric insertion of alpha-diazocarbonyl compounds into the N-H bonds of carbamates to generate an array of easily deprotected arylglycines in good ee. With respect to the reaction partners, as well as the ligand, this process complements the only other report of highly enantioselective N-H insertion reactions.