Microwave-Enhanced α-Arylation of a Protected Glycine in Water:Evaluation of 3-Phenylglycine Derivatives as Inhibitors of the Tuberculosis Enzyme, Glutamine Synthetase

A microwave-enhanced, palladium-catalyzed protocol for the α-arylation of a protected glycine in neat water is described. This reaction proceeds rapidly, under non-inert conditions, to afford a range of phenylglycine derivatives in moderate to good yields. Based on this α-arylation, a number of aryl L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine (MSO) analogues were prepared and evaluated for their Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase (TB-GS) inhibitory activity.