Methods of Non-a-Amino Acid Synthesis, 2nd Edition

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2

Cyclic Precursors

The preparation of acyclic molecules from cyclic precursors is a well-known strat-

egy.

1

The ability to control relative stereochemistry and regiochemistry in the

reactions of cyclic molecules is important since cleavage of that ring transfers that

stereochemistry or regiochemistry to the acyclic product.

2

Several methods will be

described in this chapter that allow the synthesis of amino acids, particularly substi-

tuted amino acids, from various cyclic precursors.

2.1 FROM LACTAMS OR IMIDES

2.1.1 FRom β-lactams

As rst noted in Chapter 1, Section 1.5.1, the hydrolysis of lactams is a convenient

source of amino acids. This ...