Cu(OTf)2-Promoted 1,4-Addition of Alkyl Bromides to Dehydroalanine

Zn/Cu(OTf)2-mediated addition of alkyl bromides to dehydroalanine (Dha) derivatives including dipeptides and tripeptides in good to high yields under an aqueous medium was developed. This protocol allows selective and biocompatible access to various amino acid units from Dha derivatives.