we report an efficient protocol for the C(sp2)–H carbonylation of amino acid derivatives based on an inexpensive cobalt(II) salt catalyst. Carbonylation was accomplished using picolinamide as a tracelessdirectinggroup, CO (1 atm) as the carbonyl source, and Co(dpm)2 as the catalyst. A broad range of phenylalanine derivatives bearing diverse functional groups were tolerated. Moreover, the method can