Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of α-Azido α-Amino Esters via the Alkylazidation of Alkenes

An iron-catalyzed alkylazidation of dehydroamino acids using peroxides as alkyl radical precursors is described. Non-natural azidated amino esters bearing an α-alkyl chain could be obtained in 18-94% yields using TMSN₃ as an azide source. The obtained α-alkyl-α-azide α-amino esters could be further functionalized through cycloaddition or azide reduction with amide couplings to afford aminal-type peptides, α-triazolo amino acids, and tetrahydro-triazolopyridine, showing the great versatility of this now easily accessible class of amino acids.