Rapid Access to γ-Amino-α-aryl Alcohol Scaffolds via an Enamine-Based Heck Coupling.

The γ-amino-α-aryl alcohol is a key functional group for the design of inhibitors directed toward a critical family of metabolic enzymes. Here we report the transformation of simple aryl halides to a highly functionalized benzyl (3-oxo-3-arylpropyl)carbamate intermediate that can rapidly be converted to a high value γ-amino-α-aryl alcohol. This chemistry is realized through a two-step process involving an enamine-based Heck coupling (EBHC) followed by a one-pot catalytic Cbz-deprotection and ketone reduction of EBHC products.