Methyl iodide → tert-Butyl N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-methyl-L-pyroglutamate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of tert-butyl N-tert-butoxycarbonylpyroglutamate (11.5 g, 40 mmol) in THF (200 mL) stirring at −78° C., was added a 1M solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide in THF (42 mL, 42 mmol) dropwise over 5 minutes. After 30 minutes, methyliodide (3.11 mL, 50 mmol) was added. After an additional 2 hours at −78° C., the cooling bath was removed and 50% saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (200 mL) was added. The solution was stirred for 20 minutes, then extracted with ether (3×200 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (200 mL), dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed with 1:1 ethylacetate/hexanes to give Boc-PyroGlu(4-methyl)-OtBu (10.6 grams, 35.4 mmol, 88%) as a mixture of isomers (2:1 cis to trans).

Provenance & Evidence