Green synthesis of α-amino acids by electrochemical carboxylation of imines in a flow microreactorElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7re00149e

A new approach for the green synthesis of α-amino acids using electrochemical carboxylation of imines in a flow microreactor is described. This method has the major advantage of not requiring sensitive, expensive, or toxic reagents. In addition, the reaction could be conducted using single flow-through operations, without the need for sacrificial anodes and under very mild and green conditions. Our microreactor system enabled the electrochemical synthesis of N -phenylphenylglycine derivatives in good to moderate yields. A new approach for the green synthesis of α-amino acids using electrochemical carboxylation of imines in a flow microreactor is described.