Reactivity of α-aminoacids with high valent transition metal halides

Studies on the interaction of high valent transition metal halides with α-amino acids are surprisingly rare. This contrasts with the observation that α-amino acidato complexes of transition metals in low-to-medium oxidation state may exhibit valuable properties in very different fields. We have been recently involved in the chemistry of α-amino acids with niobium and tantalum pentahalides, molybdenum pentachloride and tungsten hexachloride. The reactions may proceed selectively according to different routes, including O/halide interchange, decarboxylation and unprecedented condensation of α-amino acid units via CC bond formation. These results will be presented in the light of the peculiar features of the distinct metal halide reactants.