Sodium triacetoxyborohydride → 2(R)-(3,4-methylenedioxy-benzylamino)-3-methylbutyric acid benzyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of D-valine benzyl ester free base (12.92 g, 62 mmol) in dry methylene chloride (120 mL) was added 3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl methanol (9.45 g, 62 mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (18.50 g, 86.8 mmol). After 15 h, the reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (120 mL) and the aqueous layer was separated and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride layers were washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (300 g SiO2, 5% ethyl acetate-hexanes) to afford 2(R)-(3,4-methylenedioxy-benzylamino)-3-methylbutyric acid benzyl ester (18 g) as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence