Abstract
A convenient asymmetric synthesis of (1R,5R,9R)-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-9-carboxylic acid is described, starting from (2E,7E)-dimethyl nonadienedioate. The route involves a stereoselective domino Michael–Dieckman
process that furnishes a 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclohexane derivative bearing three
adjacent stereocenters with full stereochemical control. A subsequent chemoselective
transformation of one of the side-chain ester groups allows an effective second cyclization
leading to the morphan motif. The versatility of this novel amino acid for the generation
of molecular complexity was tested by elaborating a tripeptide in homogeneous phase.
Key words
β-amino acids - asymmetric synthesis - Michael addition - morphan - GABA uptake inhibitors