Abstract A straightforward synthesis of phenylalanine analogs is described. Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) mediated addition of azide to cinnamic ester, followed by reaction with sodium acetate afforded the α-azidocinnamate in moderate yield. Hydrogenation of α- azidocinnamate, followed by BOC, CBZ or Fmoc protection gave phenylalanine analogs. A new approach for synthesizing racemic p-boronophenylalanine analog was also explored.
