SYNTHESIS OF CHIRAL VINYLGLYCINES

(R)- or (S)-benzyl 4-formyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxazolidinecarboxylate (7a) and (R)- or (S)-1,1-dimethylethyl 4-formyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxazolidinecarboxylate (7b), readily available from serine, react with Wittig reagents to give alkenes 8. Selective deprotection followed by oxidation of the resulting unsaturated amino alcohols 9 provides vinylglycines 5 of defined configuration (> 95% ee) and double-bond geometry. D-Vinylglycines are obtained from L-serine, and conversely, D-serine gives beta,gamma-unsaturated amino acids with the L configuration. The double-bond geometry is controlled by the nature of the phosphorous ylide employed. The scope and limitations of this new methodology for the preparation of chiral vinylglycines is examined.