Asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids via diastereoselective addition of (R)-pantolactone to their ketenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00143-2

The diastereoselective addition of (R)-pantolactone to various amino ketenes derived from phthalylamino acids is reported. The configuration of the newly-generated asymmetric center is dependent on alkyl or aryl C(x substitution. This method constitutes a novel and convenient way of amino acid deracemization.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00143-2

Tetrahedron: Asymmetr), Vol. 8, No. 10, pp. 1641-1648, 1997
(D 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Printed in Great Britain
Pergamon
PII: S0957-4166(97)00143-2
0957-4166/97 $17.00 + 0.00
Asymmetric synthesis of co-amino acids via diastereoselective
addition of (R)-pantolactone to their ketenes
Monique Calmes,* Jacques Daunis and Nathalie Mai
Laboratoire des Aminoacides, Peptides et Protrines, UPRESA 5075, Universitrs Montpellier Iet I1, Place E.
Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France
Abstract: The diastereoselective addition of (R)-pantolactone to various amino ketenes
derived from phthalylamino acids is reported. The configuration of the newly-generated
asymmetric center is dependent on alkyl or aryl Cot substitution. This method constitutes
a novel and convenient way of amino acid deracemization. (D 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
Amino ketene derivatives are generally unstable, hence usually they have been generated in situ.1 The
only extensively investigated reaction involving amino ketenes concerns the cycloaddition with imines
giving amino I3-1actames which are constituents of penicillins. Particularly in asymmetric syntheses, the
use of chiral Evans's or Oppolzer's ketenes derived from glycine affords high diastereoselectivities.2
We considered the possiblity of using amino ketenes as intermediates in the asymmetric synthesis
of amino acids. Indeed, thirty-five years ago, it was noted3 that, in the presence of a chiral tertiary
amine, addition of an achirai alcohol to the ketene prepared from a phthalylamino acid, afforded the
phthalylamino acid ester with modest to 33% diastereomeric excesses, depending on the nature of the
chiral base (brucine or acetylquinine) and the temperature (22°C or -96°C).
Recently Hegedus et al.4'5 have studied the stereoselective addition of achiral alcohols or amines
to chiral chromium amino ketenes generated by photolysis of the corresponding chromium amino
carbene complexes. High diastereoisomeric excesses were generally obtained.4 Moreover, we showed
that the triethylamine catalyzed diastereoisomeric addition at - 7 8 ° C of (R)-pantolactone to the N-
phthalyl phenylglycine ketene affords the corresponding ester with a 98% diastereoisomeric excess.
After hydrolysis optically active phenylglycine was isolated without any racemization.6 This provided a
new and convenient asymmetric synthesis of phenylglycine by deracemization of the racemic mixture.
In this work we report the diastereoselective addition of (R)-pantolactone 4, a very efficient chira!
auxiliary, to various alkyl phthalylamino ketenes 3 which are not as stable as the phenyl or the very
bulky t-butyl phthalylamino ketene.3
O
N R 3 1 e q H
1(RS)
2
3
~ ~ % / N (~O
H
H 3 C ~ o H
R*OH
H+
+ " R
--
=
H3N-~x
R*OH : 5"~O1,)~O
CO2H
4
2R*
C!
6
(R)-pantolactone
5
*
Corresponding author. Email: jdaunis@crit.univ-montp2.fr
1641

1642
M. CALMES eta/.
Table 1. Yield and configuration of the Ca of phthalylamino acid pantolactonyl esters
method 1
yield
method 2
yield
entries
1
R (5)
T°C
d.e, config C~x
ToC
d.e, config C a
C,JIs (5a)
-78
0
96
63
98%
48%
R
R
-78
0
20
85
93
94
36%
60%
18%
R
R
R
_ _ !
4-F-C6H4(5b)
CH3(5c)
-78
-78
0
95
78
12
97%
70%
54%
R
S
S
3
-78
0
20
-78
0
0
0
-78
0
20
0
-78
0
20
.78
0
96
95
90
94
95
90
85
55
98
90
92
0*
70
73
39
69
89
91%
94%
92%
72%
72%
78%
73%
27%
71%
80%
63%
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
CHz-CH3 (5d)
-78
80
68%
S
(CH2)2-CH3 (5e)
(CHzh-CH~ (5t)
CHz-C6Hs (5g)
-78
-78
-78
0
77
75
80
14
67%
68%
64%
5%
S
S
S
S
8
9
_CH E~_-_na_p_h_tyl (5_h~
CH(CH3)z(5i)
-78
0
0*
70
41
S
42%
22%
22%
33%
31%
S
S
S
S
S
10
CHaCH(CH~)2 (5j)
-78
0
30
38
14%
16%
S
S
20
* There was no reaction after 3.5h.
In the first attempt we used the same experimental conditions as those used previously for the
N-phthalyl phenylglycine6 (method 1), i.e. generation of the ketene at - 7 8 ° C by treatment of the
phthalylamino acid chloride 2 with triethylamine (1.5 equiv) followed, 0.5 hour later, by addition of
(R)-pantolactone 4 at the same temperature. The results are recorded in Table 1.
The first very surprising feature is that, under the same experimental conditions, the newly generated
stereogenic center of all alkyl amino acid esters has the S configuration (Table 1: entries 3 to 10)
whereas it possesses the R configuration in the case of arylglycine esters (Table 1: entries 1 and 2).
The second remark concerns the very low to moderate values of both chemical yields and
diastereoisomeric excesses for aikylglycines, whereas both are excellent for arylglycines. The low
yields may arise from the instability of the corresponding ketenes which, reacting too slowly with
the hindered (R)-pantolactone, partially polymerize. In the case of branched amino acids, valine and
leucine (Table 1: entries 9 and 10), no ester was formed at - 7 8 ° C , starting phthalylamino acids
being totally recovered after the workup. At this temperature, as in the case of the very hindered ter-
leucine,3 valine and leucine acid chlorides are unable either to react with pantolactone or to afford the
corresponding ketene. In order to increase the branched amino acid reactivity, reactions were performed
at 0°C. At this temperature the esterification took place but, surprisingly in a chemical yield lower
for leucine than for the more hindered valine. The poor selectivity for valine and leucine at 0°C may
stem from the competitive reactivities of partially formed ketene and remaining acid chloride towards
pantolactone. This agrees with the poor C a deuteriation of ester when (R)-pantolactone was replaced
with (R)-pantolactone-OD. At the same temperature, the chemical yields dropped drastically for other
alkylglycine derivatives, and many by-products were afforded probably because of polymerization of
the corresponding ketene.
In order to improve both chemical yields and stereoselectivities, we modified the experimental
conditions. First, under Durst and Koh's conditions,7 the acid chloride 2 was added to a cooled
solution of pantolactone 4 and triethylamine, but no marked improvement was observed. In a second
attempt we reversed the addition (Table 1: method 2): a THF solution of (R)-pantolactone 4 and 1.5

1643
Asymmetric synthesis of n-amino acids
equiv of triethylamine was added slowly to a cooled solution (0°C or -78°C) of the phthalylamino
acid chloride 2. The reaction was preferentially accomplished at 0°C (which is more convenient) in
place of -78°C. Indeed for unbranched amino acids (except for arylglycines) no significant change
was observed in either the chemical yield or the d.e. Conversely yields were slighty lower when we
increased the reaction temperature to 20°C. Moreover at 0°C the esterification was very fast and went
to completion after about 1 hour whereas, as in the first method, 4 to 5 hours were necessary at
-78°C. In the case of branched amino acids (valine and leucine) no pantolactonyl ester was afforded
after 3.5h at -78°C, and it was necessary to extend the reaction time overnight to achieve merely a
37% yield. When the reaction was carried out at 20°C instead of 0°C, we observed an improvement
in the yield but a decrease in d.e. This decrease in selectivity was certainly due to an increase in the
competitive reactivity of the acid chloride with (R)-pantolactone.
The cleavage of protecting groups should occur without any racemization. In a previous paper
concerning N-phthalyl phenylglycine pantolactonyl ester6 we proposed a two step cleavage consisting
first in transesterification with methanol followed by cleavage of the phthalyl group with hydrazine.
This method requires very precise conditions to avoid racemization. It is more convenient to perform
the simultaneous cleavage of both amine and carboxylic acid protecting groups under acidic conditions
by boiling with a 6N HCI/AcOH (4/1) solution for 4 hours. Under these conditions all the tested
optically active amino acid hydrochlorides were obtained without additional racemization.
In conclusion, the deracemization of amino acids through the diastereoselective addition of a chiral
alcohol to amino ketenes at near room temperature, proves to be a very simple and convenient
possible alternative to the present popular methodology using stereoselective protonation of enolates8
at -78°C. Work is now in progress on improving the diastereoisomeric excesses of the generated
esters, particularly by using other amine protecting groups and/or other efficient chiral alcohols and
catalysts.
Experimental
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was freshly distilled under argon from sodium and benzophenone; triethyl-
amine (NEt3) was distilled from KOH and ninhydrin. Thin layer chromatography (tic) was carried out
on silica gel (60 F254, Merck 5715) and spots located with UV light or iodine vapors (eluent A: hex-
ane/AcOEt/AcOH 5/5/0.1; eluent B: ether/hexane 8/2). (R)-Pantolactone (chemical and enantiomeric
purities >99%) was purchased from Fluka Chemical Co. All other chemicals were commercially pure
compounds and were used as received. Melting points were determined with a Biichi apparatus and are
uncorrected. 1H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AC 250 spectrometer. Data are reported as
follows: chemical shifts (8) in ppm with respect to TMS, multiplicity (s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet,
q--quartet, m=multiplet, br=broad), coupling constants (J) in Hz. Diastereoisomeric excesses (d.e.) of
5 were determined from crude products from 1H NMR spectra (DMSO-d6) by integration of the 3'-
CH signal of the pantolactonyl moiety of the couple of diastereoisomers and / or by HPLC (column
Chirasphere Merck, 25 cm x 4 mm, flow: lml/min, hexane/isopropanol: condition A: 80/20, condition
B: 85/15, condition C: 90/10). To obtain samples of 5, (RS) and (S) equimolecular mixtures of 1 were
esterified with (R)-pantolactone in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) affording 75/25
diastereoisomeric mixtures. In all cases, the 3'-CH signal of the alcohol moiety in (S,R)-5 appears
upfield shifted with respect to the corresponding signal of (R,R)-5. Racemization during acid hydrolysis
of 5 was controlled by HPLC analysis (column nucleosil C18, 25 cm x 4 mm, flow 1 ml/min, gradient
water/acetonitrile) after derivatization with Marfey's reagent (1-fluoro 2,4-dinitrophenyl 5-(S) alanine
amide). 9
Generalprocedurefor the preparation of phthalyl-(RS)-amino acids la-j
Phthalyl-(RS)-amino acids la-j were prepared by using free amino acids and phthalic anhydride as
previously described in the literature, l°

1644
M. CALMES et al.
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-phenylglycine la
Following the general procedure from (RS)-phenylglycine (151 mg, 1 mmol), la (258 mg, 0.92
mmol, 92% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 164-166°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.47; t H NMR (CDCl3)
6=6.05 (s, IH, CHCO2H), 7.29 (m, 3H, H-phenyl), 7.51 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.67 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl),
7.77 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 8.65 (br, IH, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-4-fluoro-(RS)-phenylglycine lb
Following the general procedure from 4-fluoro-(RS)-phenylglycine (169 mg, 1 mmol), lb (284
mg, 0.95 mmol, 95% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 176°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.44; IH NMR
(CDCI3) 6=6.05 (s, 1H, CHCO2H), 6.98 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.51 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.68 (m, 2H,
H-phthalyl), 7.79 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 6.75 (br, IH, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS)-alanine lc
Following the general procedure from (RS)-alanine (89 mg, 1 mmol), 1¢ (166 mg, 0.76 mmol, 76%
yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 152-154°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.50; IH NMR (CDC13) 6=1.70
(d, J=7.5 Hz, 3H, CH3), 5.04 (q, J=7.5 Hz, IH, CHCO2H), 7.73 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.85 (m, 2H,
H-phthalyl), 9.25 (br, IH, CO2H).
Phthalyl-(RS)-amino butyric acid ld
Following the general procedure from (RS)-amino butyric acid (103 mg, 1 mmol), ld (186 mg, 0.8
mmol, 80% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p 93-95°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.50; 1H NMR (CDC13)
6=0.87 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H, CH2CH3), 2.18 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 4.75 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, CHCO2H), 7.68
(m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.80 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 8.80 (br, 1H, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-norvaline l e
Following the general procedure from (RS)-norvaline (117 mg, 1 mmol), le (215 mg, 0.87 mmol,
87% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p 103-105°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.50; IH NMR (CDC13)
6=0.95 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H, CH2CH2CH3), 1.35 (m, 2H, CH2CH2CH3), 2.22 (m, 2H, CH2CH2CH3),
4.94 (dd, J=4.8 Hz and J=l 1 Hz, CHCO2H), 7.74 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.88 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl),
9.80 (br, 1H, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-norleucine If
Following the general procedure from (RS)-norleucine (131 mg, ! mmol), If (216 mg, 0.83 mmol,
83% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p 105-107°C; tic (eluent A) Rf=0.39; IH NMR (CDC13)
6=0.81 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H, (CH2)3CH3), 1.26 (m, 4H, CH2(CH2)2CH3), 2.20 (m, 2H, CH2(CH2)2CH3),
4.85 (dd, J=5 Hz and J-10.5 Hz, 1H, CHCO2H), 7.67 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.88 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl),
9.10 (br, IH, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS)-phenylalanine lg
Following the general procedure from (RS)-phenylalanine (165 mg, 1 mmol), lg (177 mg, 0.6 mmol,
60% yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 172-174°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.53; 1H NMR (CDC13)
6=3.50 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H, CH2), 5.10 (t, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, CHCO2H), 7.11 (m, 5H, H-phenyl), 7.67 (m,
2H, H-phthalyl), 7.70 (m, 2H, H-phthalyi), 8.50 (br, IH, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-fl-naphthylalanine lh
Following the general procedure from (RS)-13-naphthylalanine (215 mg, 1 mmol), lh (304 mg, 0.88
mmol, 88% yield), was obtained as a rolid, m.p. 156-158°C; tic (eluent A) Rf=0.45; I H NMR (CDC13)
6=3.75 (m, 2H, CH2), 5.33 (dd, J=7 Hz and J=10 Hz, IH, CHCO2H), 7.33 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.62
(m, 9H, H-phthalyl and H-naphthyl), 9. I0 (br, 1H, CO2H).

1645
Asymmetric synthesis of o~-amino acids
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-valine li
Following the general procedure from (RS)-valine (117 mg, 1 mmol), li (227 mg, 0.92 mmol, 92%
yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 98-100°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.60; l H NMR (CDCI3) 6=0.84 (d,
J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 1.10 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 2.65 (m, 1H, CH(CH3)2), 4.55 (d, J=8.5
Hz, 1H, CHCOzH), 7.67 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.80 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 7.80 (br, IH, CO2H).
N-Phthalyl-(RS )-leucine lj
Following the general procedure from (RS)-leucine ( 131 mg, 1 mmol), lj (245 mg, 0.94 mmol, 94%
yield), was obtained as a solid, m.p. 138-140°C; tlc (eluent A) Rf=0.42; IH NMR (CDCI3) 6=0.85
(d, J=6.5 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 0.88 (d, J=5.6 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 1.45 (m, 1H, CH(CH3)2), 1,88 (m, 1H,
CHCH2), 2.30 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.90 (dd, J=4.4 Hz and J=l 1.5 Hz, 1H, CHCO2H), 7.67 (m, 2H,
H-phthalyl), 7.79 (m, 2H, H-phthalyl), 8.80 (br, 1H, CO2H).
General procedure for the preparation of phthalyl-(RS)-amino acid chlorides 2a-j
A mixture of the phthalyl-(RS)-amino acid (1 equiv.) and oxalyl chloride (10 equiv.) was stirred
under argon at 30°C for 12 h. Evaporation of oxalyl chloride excess gave the corresponding phthalyl-
(RS)-amino acid chloride that was used as such in the following step.
General procedure for the esterification of (RS) and (S) phthalylamino acid mixtures with (R)-
pantolactone 4
To an equimolecular mixture of (RS) and (S) phthalylamino acids (1 retool), (R)-pantolactone 4 (130
rag, 1 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.05 equiv.) in 6 ml of CH2C12 was added 1 equivalent
of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (206 mg) at 0°C. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for
an additional 12 h. The resulting mixture was filtered and washed with saturated aqueous solutions
of citric acid (3x6 ml) and saturated NaHCO3 (3×6 ml) dried over NazSO4 and concentrated in
vacuo. The stereoisomeric mixtures (S,R)/(R,R) of esters 5, close to 75/25, was analyzed by NMR
spectroscopy and HPLC.
HPLC and NMR data of the compounds 5 deduced from the data of the diastereoisomeric mixtures
obtained above
N-Phthalyl phenylglycine pantolactonyl ester 5a
(R,R)-Sa: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 15.9 min; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.71 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.12 (s,
3H, 4'-CH3), 4.00 (d, J=8.5 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.15 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 5.75 (s, 1H, 3'-CH),
6.39 (s, 1H, CH-COO), 7.38 (m, 3H, H-phenyl), 7.54 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.95 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-Sa: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 14.14 min; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) ~i=0.77 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.16
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 4.00 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.15 (d, J=8.5 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.68 (s, 1H, 3'-CH),
6.37 (s, 1H, CH-COO), 7.38 (m, 3H, H-phenyl), 7.54 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.95 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
C22H19NO6 (393.40): calcd. C 67.17% H 4.87% N 3.56%. Found: C 67.25% H 4.72% N 3.47%.
N-Phthalyl 4-fluorophenylglycine pantolactonyl ester 5b
(R,R)-5b: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 17.14 min; lH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.70 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1,11
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 4.00 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.12 (d, J=8.6 Hz, i H, 5'-HCH), 5.74 (s, 1H, 3'-CH),
6.46 (s, 1H,CH-COO), 7.24 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.60 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.95 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5b: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 15.84 min; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) ~i=0.79 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1,16
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 4.02 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.14 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 5.67 (s, 1H, 3'-CH),
6.43 (s, I H,CH-COO), 7.24 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.60 (m, 2H, H-phenyl), 7.95 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
C22HI8NO6F (411.39): calcd. C 64.23% H 4.41% N 3.40%. Found: C 64.11% H 4.56% N 3.25%.

1646
M, CALMES et al.
N-Phthalylalanine pantolactonyl ester 5c
(R,R)-5c: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 16.74 rain; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.66 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.03
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.54 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 3.94 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.08 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
1H, 5'-HCH), 5.19 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.65 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.90 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5c: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 15.00 rain; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 8=0.95 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.13
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.63 (d, J=7.2 Hz, IH, CHCH3), 4.00 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.07 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
1H, 5'-HCH), 5.19 (q, J=7.2Hz, IH, CH-COO), 5.61 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.90 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
CI7HITNO6 (331.33): calcd. C 61.63% H 5.17% N 4.23%. Found: C 61.75% H 5.02% N 4.35%.
Phthalyl-2-aminobu~.,ric pantolactonyl ester 5d
(R,R)-5d: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 19.94 min; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.65 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.89
(t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H, CHzCH3), 0.94 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 2.15 (m, 2H, CHzCH3), 3.97 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H,
5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=7.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.00 (dd, J=6.4 Hz and J=9.2 Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.66 (s,
1H, 3'-CH), 7.93 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5d: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 17.60 rain; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.89 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H,
CHzCH3), 0,95 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.13 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 2.15 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 4.03 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
1H, 5'-HCH), 4.12 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 5.00 (dd, J=6.4 Hz and J:9.2 Hz, 1H, CH-COO),
5.62 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.93 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
CI8HI9NO6 (345.35): calcd. C 62.60% H 5.55% N 4.06%. Found: C 62.47% H 5.43% N 4.17%.
N-Phthalvlnorvaline pantolactonyl ester 5e
(R,R)-5e: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 17.50 min; I H NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0,74 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1,02
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.88 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H, CHzCH3), 1.28 (m, 2H, CHzCH3), 2.10 (m, 2H, CH2CH2),
3.94 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.06 (dd, J=6 Hz and J=9.8 Hz,
1H, CH-COO), 5.64 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.94 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5e: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 15.48 rain; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0,95 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1,12
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.88 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H, CHzCH3), 1.28 (m, 2H, CHzCH3), 2.10 (m, 2H, CH2CH2),
4.04 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.12 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.04 (dd, J=5.2Hz and J=10.5 Hz,
1H,CH-COO), 5.61 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.94 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
CI9H21NO6 (359.38): calcd. C 63.50% H 5.89% N 3.90%. Found: C 63.39% H 5.77% N 3.99%.
N-Phthalylnorleucine pantolactonyl ester 5f
(R,R)-5f: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 15.56 min; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0,65 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.82
(t, J=6.5 Hz, 3H, CH2CH3), 1,03 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.23 (m, 4H, CH2CH2CH3), 2.08 (m, 2H, CHCH2),
3.97 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.12 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.03 (dd, J=6 Hz and J=9.5 Hz,
IH, CH-COO), 5.64 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.92 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5f: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 13.79 min; lH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.82 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 3H,
CH2CH3), 0,94 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1,13 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.23 (m, 4H, CH2CHzCH3), 2.08 (m, 2H,
CHCH2), 4.03 (d, J=8,6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 5.01 (dd, J=5.6 Hz and
J=9.8 Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.61 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.92 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
C2oH23NO6 (373.41): calcd. C 64.33% H 6.21% N 3.75%. Found: C 64.45% H 6.08% N 3.64%.
N-Phthalylphenylalanine pantolactonyl ester 5g
(R,R)-5g: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 15.53 rnin; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.59 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.00
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 3.40 (m, 1H, CHz-phenyl), 3.93 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 3.98 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
1H, 5'-HCH), 5.41 (m, 1H, CH-COO), 5.66 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.12 (m, 5H, H-phenyl), 7.80 (m, 4H,
H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5g: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 13.83 rain; lH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.90 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.06
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 3.40 (m, IH, CHz-phenyi), 3.99 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.08 (d, J=8.6 Hz,

Asymmetric synthesis of o¢-amino acids
1647
IH, 5'-HCH), 5.41 (m, IH, CH-COO), 5.61 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.12 (m, 5H, H-phenyl), 7.80 (m, 4H,
H-phthalyl).
C23H21NO6 (407.43): calcd. C 67.81% H 5.20% N 3.44%. Found: C 67.93% H 5.31% N 3.32%.
N-Phthalyl-[3-naphthylalanine pantolactonyl ester 5h
(R,R)-5h: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 21.43 rain; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) ~i=0.66 (s, 3H, 4~-CH3), 1.09
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 3.60 (m, 2H, CHCH2), 3.95 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.10 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H,
5'-HCH), 5.62 (dd, J=5.4 Hz and J=l 1.2 Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.74 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.42 (m, 4H, H-
phthalyl), 7.78 (m, 7H, H-naphthyl).
(S,R)-5h: HPLC (condition B), r.t. 18.73 rain; 1H NMR(DMSO-d6) 8=0,96 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.18
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 3.60 (m, 2H, CHCH2), 4.04 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-
HCH), 5.60 (dd, J=4.9 Hz and J=l 1 Hz, 1H,CH-COO), 5.69 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.42 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl),
7.78 (m, 7H, H-naphthyl).
C27H23NO6 (457.49): calcd. C 70.89% H 5~07% N 3.06%. Found: C 70.76% H 5.20% N 3.12%.
N-Phthalylvaline pantolactonyl ester 5i
(R,R)-5i: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 15.75 min; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) 8=0.66 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.90
(d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 1.05 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.12 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 2.66 (m, 1H,
CH(CH3)2), 3.97 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.76 (d, J=7.6 Hz,
1H, CH-COO), 5.70 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.97 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-5i: HPLC (condition C), r.t. 13.95 min; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.98 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.16
(s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.90 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 1.12 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H, CHCH3), 2.66 (m, 1H,
CH(CH3)2), 4.02 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.12 (d, J=8.6 Hz, IH, 5'-HCH), 4.76 (d, J=7.6 Hz,
IH, CH-COO), 5.65 (s, 1H, 3'-CH), 7.97 (m, 4H, H-phthalyl).
C19H21NO6 (359.38): calcd. C 63.50% H 5.89% N 3.90%. Found: C 63.41% H 5.73% N 3.97%.
N-Phthalylleucine pantolactonyl ester 5j
(R,R)-Sj: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 10.85 min; IH NMR (DMSO-d6) 6=0.62 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.91
(d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H, CH(CH3)2), 1.02 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.48 (m, IH, CH(CH3)2), 1.85 (m, IH, HCH-
CH(CH3)2), 2.18 (m, 1H, HCH-CH(CH3)2), 3.97 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.11 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
IH, 5'-HCH), 5.08 (dd, J=4.7 Hz and J=ll Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.63 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.94 (m, 4H,
H-phthalyl).
(S,R)-Sj: HPLC (condition A), r.t. 9.82 rain; tH NMR (DMSO-d6) ~i=0.87 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 0.91
(d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H, CH(CH3)2), 1.12 (s, 3H, 4'-CH3), 1.48 (m, 1H, CH(CH3)2), 1.85 (m, IH, HCH-
CH(CH3)2), 2.18 (m, IH, HCH-CH(CH3)2), 4.04 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, 5'-HCH), 4.10 (d, J=8.6 Hz,
1H, 5'-HCH), 5.08 (dd, J=4.7 Hz and J=ll Hz, 1H, CH-COO), 5.60 (s, IH, 3'-CH), 7.94 (m, 4H,
H-phthalyl).
C20Hz3NO6 (373.41): calcd. C 64.33% H 6.21% N 3.75%. Found: C 64.42% H 6.33% N 3.82%.
General procedure for the diastereoselective addition of (R)-pantolactone 4 to phthalylamino ketenes
Sa-j
Method 1: To a stirred solution of phthalyl-(RS)-amino acid chloride (1 retool) in 3 ml of anhydrous
THE cooled to -78°C (or 0°C) under argon, was first added 0.21 ml (1.5 equiv) of NEt3 followed
by, after 30 minutes, a precooled solution of 0.14 g (1.1 retool) of (R)-pantolactone in 2 ml of THE
After 6 h at this temperature (monitoring the reaction by tlc: eluent B), a IN citric acid solution (5
ml) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The solution
was extracted with AcOEt (10 ml) and the organic layer was washed successively with water and a
sodium bicarbonate solution and then dried over sodium carbonate. Evaporation under vacuum gave
the pantolactonyl ester.

1648
M. CALMES et al.
Method 2: Addition of a THF solution of 1.1 equiv of (R)-pantolactone ( 140 rag) and 1.5 equiv of
triethylamine (0.21 ml) to a THF solution of 1 mmol of phthalyl-(RS)-amino acid chloride. After 4 to
5 h at - 7 8 ° C or only 1 hour at 0°C, the solution was treated as previously.
General procedure for the hydrolysis of N-phthalyl pantolactonyl esters 5a-j
A mixture of the N-phthalyl pantolactonyl ester (0.5 retool), acetic acid (1.4 ml) and a 6N HCI
solution (14 ml) was refluxed till completion of the hydrolysis (4 h), monitoring the reaction by tlc
(eluent A). The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and the volatile products were
distilled at reduced pressure. Water (15 ml) was added to the residue and the mixture was washed
with AcOEt (3x 15 ml). Evaporation under vacuum of the aqueous layer gave free aminoacids 6.
Acknowledgements
We thank Prof. R. Jacquier for its support and helpful discussions.
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(Received in UK 19 March 1997)