“…The TCNHPI-based RAEs were prepared from corresponding a-hydroxy acids using a onepot O-protection and acid activation protocol (see SI for details). Aside from simple alkyl chains (15−17), a broad range of functional groups could be tolerated, such as terminal alkenes(18), internal alkenes(39), alkyl halides (19, 21), acetals(20), acetates(22), silyl ethers(23), esters(25), ethers(26, 27), imides(31), nitriles (38), azides(37), carbamates (33), and heterocycles(28)(29)(30)32). The directing group on hydroxy group was not limited to Bz as Ac-and Piv-substituted analogues also worked well under the same conditions (34−36).…”