Boc-N-Me-Phe-OH → N-Boc-N-methyl-3-cyclohexanyl-L-alanine

Reaction equation

[C:1]([O:5][C:6]([N:8]([CH3:20])[C@H:9]([C:17]([OH:19])=[O:18])[CH2:10][C:11]1[CH:16]=[CH:15][CH:14]=[CH:13][CH:12]=1)=[O:7])([CH3:4])([CH3:3])[CH3:2].[H][H]>O1CCCC1.[Rh]>[C:1]([O:5][C:6]([N:8]([CH3:20])[C@H:9]([C:17]([OH:19])=[O:18])[CH2:10][CH:11]1[CH2:16][CH2:15][CH2:14][CH2:13][CH2:12]1)=[O:7])([CH3:3])([CH3:4])[CH3:2]

Participants

Procedure

A solution of 4.8 g of t-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylphenylalanine in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran was hydrogenated at 60° for about four days using 60 psi hydrogen gas and 5% rhodium on carbon. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated to give the title compound (3.5 g) as a colorless oil. The oil was used without further purification. Structure assignment was supported by the nmr spectrum (loss of aromatic protons and appearance of cyclohexyl protons) and by elemental analysis.