Synthesis of α-fluoro-β-amino acids via the Reformatsky reaction of chiral N-tert-butylsulfinylimines with ethyl bromofluoroacetate

Treatment of chiral N-tert-butyl sulfinylimines with ethyl bromofluoroacetate in the presence of activated Zn dust in THF afforded the α-fluoro-β-amino acid derivatives in good yields (70–86%) and moderate diastereoselectivity (66:34–92:8).