Novel and efficient transformation of α-amino nitrile to α-imino and α-amide nitriles in asymmetric Strecker synthesis

Oxidation of alpha -amino nitrile 4 with ozone gave rise to a mixture of alpha -imino nitrile 5 and a novel fragmentation product of 6 in one-step. The mixture was converted to a variety of alpha -substituted alpha -amino acids 7 in high yields, which enabled the asymmetric transferring Strecker synthesis to be a widely useful method. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.