Versatility of β-lactams in synthesis. Studies directed toward the synthesis of complex nucleoside antibiotics and some macrocyclic peptides

The diastereoselective [2+2] cycloaddition of α-hydroxyketene equivalents with chiral α,ω-oxyaldehyde-derived imines followed by the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-promoted ring expansion of the resulting α-hydroxy β-lactam adducts provides an unconventional and short route to α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs). The required enantiopure α,ω-oxyaldehydes were obtained either from the chiral pool or through the Sharpless AD methodology. Following the present strategy, several nonproteinogenic NCAs were synthesized, which were further coupled with α-amino acid esters giving rise to key fragments of some nucleoside antibiotics and macrocyclic peptides.