Synthetic studies on polyoxypeptins: stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline using SmI2-mediated cyclization

Asymmetric conjugate reductions with samarium diiodide: asymmetric synthesis of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[2-2H,3-2H]-leucine-(S)-phenylalanine dipeptides and (2S,3R)-[2-2H,3-2H]-phenylalanine methyl ester

The highly diastereoselective samarium diiodide and D(2)O-promoted conjugate reduction of homochiral (E)- and (Z)-benzylidene and isobutylidene diketopiperazines (E)-5,7 and (Z)-6,8 has been demonstrated. This methodology allows the asymmetric synthesis of methyl (2S,3R)-dideuteriophenylalanine 27 in > or = 95% de and >98% ee, and (2S,3R)- or (2S,3S)-dideuterioleucine-(S)-phenylalanine dipeptides 37 and 38 in moderate de, 66% and 74% respectively. A mechanism is proposed to account for this process.

Studies on the synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline via C2-N bond formation

A new efficient synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline (3) is reported. During the course of a recent study on the Lewis acid promoted intramolecular opening of an epoxide by a carbamate NH, a highly concerted rearrangement was unexpectedly observed. Further investigations of substrate generality show that delta-carbamate-alpha,beta-epoxide esters commonly underwent similar rearrangements with the aid of Lewis acids. Retrosynthetic analysis of such a C(2)-N disconnection can lead to an efficient synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline (3) in high enantio purity. Stereochemistries were established by a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and a diastereoselective reductive amination.