title: Asymmetric synthesis of (4R,5R)-cytoxazone and (4R,5S)-epi-cytoxazone.
abstract: (4R,5R)-Cytoxazone has been prepared in four steps and in 61% overall yield and >98% ee. Conjugate addition of lithium (R)-N-benzyl-N-[small alpha]-methylbenzylamide to tert-butyl (E)-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate and subsequent in situ diastereoselective enolate oxidation with (+)-(camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridine gave tert-butyl (2R,3R,[small alpha]R)-2-hydroxy-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-[small alpha]-methylbenzylamino)propanoate in >98% de. Subsequent N-benzyl deprotection to the primary [small beta]-amino ester via hydrogenolysis, oxazolidinone formation with C(2)-retention by treatment with diphosgene and chemoselective ester reduction furnishes (4R,5R)-cytoxazone. The synthesis of the C(5)-epimer, (4R,5S)-epi-cytoxazone in 44% overall yield, has also been completed via a protocol involving N-Boc protection of the primary [small beta]-amino ester, utilization of the N-Boc group to facilitate simultaneous C(2)-inversion and oxazolidinone formation, and subsequent reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, UK OX1 3TA.
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Deri G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D003500:Cyclization; D006574:Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D006574:Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; D010080:Oxazoles; D023303:Oxazolidinones; C117832:cytoxazone