Conjugate addition of lower order cuprates to protected α,β-unsaturated pyroglutaminol
1 is of limited value, mainly due to the requirement for a large excess of the transferable
ligand (10 equiv). Here we report advances using mixed cyano-Gilman cuprates which
allow the use of only 1.2 equiv of the transferable ligand, to give the desired product
in acceptable to good yield (68-84%). Diethyl ether as the solvent was found advantageous
versus THF, since the use of TMSCl could be avoided.
cuprates - lactams - amino acids - addition reactions - asymmetric synthesis