Selective hydroalkoxycarbonylation of enamides to N-acyl amino acid esters: synthetic applications and theoretical studies

N-acyl amino acid esters are easily accessible from enamides by cobalt-catalyzed hydroalkoxycarbonylation in moderate to excellent yield. An important reaction parameter for selective carbonylation is the use of low hydrogen partial pressure, which prevents hydrogenation as a side reaction. The reported method is applicable to various enamides and alcohols. A DFT calculation of the catalytic cycle explains the preferred pathway of this reaction.