Microwave-enhanced alpha-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 alpha-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 alpha-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.