Electroreductive Ring-Opening Carboxylation of 1,3-Oxazolidin-2-ones with CO2 for Accessing β‑Amino Acids

Electrocarboxylation of the C­(sp3)–O bond in 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones with CO2 to achieve β-amino acids is developed. The C–O bond in substrates can be selectively cleaved via the single electron transfer on the surface of a cathode or through a CO2 • – intermediate under additive-free conditions. A great diversity of β-amino acids can be obtained in a moderate to excellent yield and readily converted to various biologically active compounds.