The organocatalytic addition of substituted oxyacetaldehydes to 2-acylaminonitroethenes
proceeded with good to high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities. The resulting
adducts reacted with ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl) acrylate to afford highly functionalized
cyclohexenes. A thiol-free protocol for cyclization has been developed that leads
to a separable mixture of two diastereoisomers. The unwanted diastereoisomer can be
efficiently epimerized. The resulting cyclohexenes are precursors to oseltamivir and
its analogues. The synthesis of the key reagent, 3-pentyloxyaldehyde, was also improved.
Key words
enantioselectivity - Michael addition - cyclization - aminonitroethene - organocatalysis