Regioselective Enolization and Alkylation of 4-Oxo-N-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)proline: Synthesis of Enantiopure Proline−Valine and Hydroxyproline−Valine Chimeras

Abstract

The regioselective enolization of 4-oxo-N-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)proline benzyl ester (5) followed by alkylation with different alkyl halides has been used to synthesize a variety of β-alkylproline derivatives. In particular, enolization of 5 with 400 mol % of KN(SiMe3)2 and alkylation with iodomethane provided 3,3-dimethyl-4-oxo-N-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)proline benzyl ester (7a) in excellent yield. Subsequent hydride reduction of ketone 7a and protecting group exchange by hydrogenation in the presence of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate provided enantiopure (2S,4R)- and (2S,4S)-3,3-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-N-(BOC)prolines 2. Hydroxyproline−valine chimeras (2S,4R)- and (2S,4S)-2 are each synthesized from hydroxyproline in six steps and 27% respective overall yield. Deoxygenation of 3,3-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-N-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)proline benzyl esters 9 via their conversion to xanthates 10 followed by tributylstannane-mediated reduction provided 3,3-dimethyl-N-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)proline benzyl ester (11) in excellent y...