The first asymmetric synthesis of α-allyl-α-aryl α-amino acids by means of a three-component coupling of α-iminoesters, Grignard reagents, and cinnamyl acetate is reported. Notably, the enolate from the tandem process provides a much higher level of reactivity and selectivity than the same enolate generated via direct deprotonation, presumably due to differences in the solvation/aggregation sta...
