Synthesis of 3-amino-3-aryl propanoates

A compound of formula V

• wherein R1 is aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl;
• wherein the substituents on the aryl or heteroaryl are at least one independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower aralkyl, —NR32, wherein R3 is a lower alkyl;
• R4CONH, wherein R4 is phenyl or a lower alkyl;
• and —OC(O)R6 wherein R6 is hydrogen, alkyl or aralkyl;
• R2′ is alkyl or aralkyl;
• R5 is hydrogen or hydroxy;
• or a salt thereof.

A process for preparing a compound of formula I

• wherein R1 is aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl;
• wherein the substituents on the aryl or heteroaryl are at least one independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower aralkyl, —NR32, wherein R3 is a lower alkyl;
• R4CONH, wherein R4 is phenyl or a lower alkyl;
• and —OC(O)R6 wherein R6 is hydrogen, alkyl or aralkyl;
• and R2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aralkyl, or a salt thereof,
• comprising reacting the compound of formula IV
• wherein R1 is as described above, R2′ is alkyl or aralkyl and R5 is hydrogen or alkoxy, with hydrogen gas in the presence of a palladium catalyst to form the compound of formula V
• and reacting the compound of formula V with an acid to form the compound of formula I.