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DOI: 10.1055/a-2813-9832
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Rh-Catalyzed Solvent-Controlled Carboamidation for Divergent Synthesis of α-and β-Amino Acids

Authors

  • Xiaoyan Jia

    1   School of chemistry and chemical engeineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China (Ringgold ID: RIN26467)

  • Shou Zhang

    2   State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Institute of Computational Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47832)

  • Ming Lei 

    3   State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Institute of Computational Chemistry, College of Science,, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47832)

  • Liangbin Huang 

    4   State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Engineering of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China (Ringgold ID: RIN26467)

Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China 22371078
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Divergent synthesis aims to build different molecules from the same starting materials using small changes in reaction conditions. It is a valuable yet challenging goal in synthesis. Here, we share how simply switching between two solvents — HFIP and THF — can steer a rhodium-catalyzed reaction toward making either α‑ or β‑amino acids from the same starting materials. This method works with many functional groups, avoids protecting‑group steps, and has been used to quickly prepare bioactive compounds such as N‑Ac sitagliptin. DFT calculations show that the two reaction paths have different energy barriers, which explains why the solvent choice controls the product structure.



Publication History

Received: 11 November 2025

Accepted after revision: 13 February 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
20 February 2026

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