Isoxazolinium Salts in Asymmetric Synthesis. 1. Stereoselective Reduction Induced by a 3’-Alkoxy Stereocentre. A New Approach to Polyfunctionalized β-Amino Acids [1, 2]

A new approach to optically active N-methylamino acids is presented, relying on stereoselective reduction of N-methylisoxazolinium salts with a dioxyethyl side-chain. The diastereoselectivity of the reduction step is studied systematically, in comparison with that of respective isoxazolines. A two-step transformation of isoxazolinium salts - with NaBH (OAc) and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation as well as a one-pot reduction by catalytic hydrogenation led to high (95:5 and 87:13) diastereomeric ratios of protected erythro-N-methylaminopentanetriols. The hydroxyethyl side-chain is elaborated by oxidation to afford the β -N-methylamino acid 37, exemplifying the potential of this strategy.