The utility of the palladium (0) catalysed reaction of the iodoalanine-derived organozinc reagent 6a with functionalised aryl iodides, under a carbon monoxide atmosphere, to give protected 4-aryl-4-oxo α-amino acids 8, is illustrated by a short synthesis of L-kynurenine 4. Treatment of functionalised organozinc reagents with catalytic tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide in the absence of any ...