Aza-Wittig Rearrangements of N-Benzyl and N-Allyl Glycine Methyl Esters. Discovery of a Surprising Cascade Aza-Wittig Rearrangement/Hydroboration Reaction

J Org Chem. 2015 Sep 18;80(18):9041-56. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b01286. Epub 2015 Sep 1.

Abstract

Treatment of N-(arylmethyl)-N-aryl or N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives with (n)Bu2BOTf and (i)Pr2NEt effects an aza-Wittig rearrangement that provides N-aryl phenylalanine methyl ester derivatives and N-aryl allylglycine methyl ester derivatives, respectively, in good yield with moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Under similar conditions, analogous substrates bearing N-carbonyl groups are converted to 1,4,2-oxazaborole derivatives. Additionally, N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives subjected to similar conditions at elevated temperatures undergo an aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, followed by a subsequent hydroboration oxidation reaction, to afford substituted amino alcohol products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.