Synthesis 2007(17): 2631-2636  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-983815
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

4-Formylazetidin-2-one as a Useful Building Block for the Formal Synthesis of xylo-(2S,3R,4R)-Phytosphingosine and threo-(2S,3S)-Sphingosine

Ajaykumar S. Kalea, Prathmesh S. Saklea, Vikas K. Gumastea, Abdul Rakeeb A. S. Deshmukh*b
a Division of Organic Chemistry (Synthesis), National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
b Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited, ARC-H, P-2, I.T.-B.T. Park, Phase-II, M.I.D.C., Hinjwadi, Pune 411057, Maharashtra, India
e-Mail: Abdulrakeeb.Deshmukh@emcure.co.in;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 March 2007
Publication Date:
24 July 2007 (online)

Abstract

Stereoselective formal synthesis of xylo-(2S,3R,4R)-phytosphingosine and threo-(2S,3S)-sphingosine is described starting from an enantiopure formyl-substituted β-lactam. Grignard reaction of the N-Boc-protected-β-lactam carbonyl group, followed by further transformations, provides a common intermediate for xylo-(2S,3R,4R)-phytosphingosine and threo-(2S,3S)-sphingosine.