A flexible non-amino acid-based formal asymmetric synthesis of naturally occurring antimicrobial (2R,3S)-2-aminotetradeca-5,7-dien-3-ol is reported. The method features a flexible and highly regioselective Grignard addition to (S)-malimide followed by a trans-diastereoselective reductive deoxygenation. The scope and limitations of the highly regio and diastereoselective reductive alkylation of malimides were defined. A remarkable protecting group effect on the regio and diastereoselective reductive alkylation of malimides was observed.

The reaction of a lactone or an ester with organoaluminum species generated from DIBAL-H-H2NR or DIBAL-H-HNR1R2

A general approach to (5S,6R)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones based on the regioand diastereoselective reductive alkylation of (S)-3-benzyloxyglutarimide 7 is described. This method opens an entrance to chiral nonracemic substituted 3-piperidinols. The versatility of the method is illustrated by the asymmetric syntheses of neurokinin substance P receptor antagonist L-733,061 (ent-1), (-)-deoxocassine (4), and an inhibitor of HIV proteases (5a).

Selective and potent neurokinin substance P receptor antagonists (+)-L-733, 060 (1) and (+)-CP-99, 994 (2) have been synthesized starting from a new (3S)-piperidinol synthon derived from L-glutamic acid. The methods featured a C-2 regioselective reduction of glutarimide (9), Lewis acid-promoted Si to C-2 phenyl group migration of 10, and stereoselective reduction of acetylated oxime 19 as the key steps.