The base-promoted dehydration of rac.-trans-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-4-[(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-thiazepin-5(2H)-one

The base-catalyzed alkylation of rac.-trans-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-thiazepin-5(2H)-one ( 1 ) with dimethylaminoethyl chloride in dimethyl sulfoxide provided predominantly rac.-trans-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-4-[(2-dimethylamino)ethyl]-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-thiazepin-5(2H)-one ( 2 ) and in addition, 2,3-dihydro-4-[2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl]-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-thiazepin-5(4H)-one ( 3 ). A plausible mechanism is postulated for the dehydration of the rac.-trans-amide 2 .     

Synthesis and transformations of (±)-trans-4aβ(H), saα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one

Hydrogenation of 4,7-dimethylcoumarin ( 1 ) in alkaline medium has been shown to furnish a mixture of (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 2 ), (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 3 ) and (±)-cis-4aα(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 4 ) in 40:25:35:ratio, respectively. The stereochemistry of the major hydrogenation product 2 , has been established by transforming it to p-menthane derivatives e.g. (±)-2 (R)-[2′(R)hydroxy-4′(R) methylcyclohex-(1′S)-yl]propan-1-ol ( 20 ) and (±)-trans-3α,6β-dimethyl-3aβ(H),7aα(H)-octahydrobenzofuran ( 12 ). Starting from a mixture of lactones 2, 3 and 4 , lactone 3 has been obtained in pure state employing a sequence of reactions.     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of (−)-(E)-α-trans-Bergamotenone

The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (?)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (?)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (?)- 1 ), as well as its homologue (?)- 19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (?)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (?)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (?)- 2 ), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (?)- 3a,b and alcohols (?)- 4a,b , have been rigorously assigned.     

Hydrosilylation of 2-(2-Propynyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzothiazol-3-one 1,1-Dioxide with 1-Alkynyl(dimethyl)- and Bis(1-alkynyl)methylsilanes

Hydrosilylation of 2-(2-propynyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzothiazol-3-one 1,1-dioxide with 1-alkynyldimethyl- and bis(1-alkynyl)methylsilanes of the general formula Me _n HSi(C=-CR)₃-n (n = 1, 2) in the presence of H₂PtCl₆ (Speier's catalyst) occurs in a nonregioselective but stereoselective fashion, yielding mixtures of the corresponding trans-- and -adducts. The fraction of the latter ranges from 50 to 70%, depending mainly on the substrate nature rather than on the nature of substituent at the triple bond of the reagent.     

Die thermische Umlagerung von 2-(Buta-1′,3′-dienyl)-phenolen in 2-Alkyl-2H-chromene; Beispiele für aromatische [1,7a]- und [1,5s]sigmatropische Wasserstoffverschiebungen

2-(1′-cis,3′-cis-)- and 2-(1′-cis,3′-trans-Penta-1′,3′-dienyl)-phenol (cis, cis- 4 and cis, trans- 4 , cf. scheme 1) rearrange thermally at 85–110° via [1,7 a] hydrogen shifts to yield the o-quinomethide 2 (R ? CH₃) which rapidly cyclises to give 2-ethyl-2H-chromene ( 7 ). The trans formation of cis, cis- and cis, trans- 4 into 7 is accompanied by a thermal cis, trans isomerisation of the 3′ double bond in 4. The isomerisation indicates that [1,7 a] hydrogen shifts in 2 compete with the electrocyclic ring closure of 2 . The isomeric phenols, trans, trans- and trans, cis- 4 , are stable at 85–110° but at 190° rearrange also to form 7 . This rearrangement is induced by a thermal cis, trans isomerisation of the 1′ double bond which occurs via [1, 5s] hydrogen shifts. Deuterium labelling experiments show that the chromene 7 is in equilibrium with the o-quinomethide 2 (R ? CH₃), at 210°. Thus, when 2-benzyl-2H-chromene ( 9 ) or 2-(1′-trans,3′-trans,-4′-phenyl-buta1′,3′-dienyl)-phenol (trans, trans- 6 ) is heated in diglyme solution at >200°, an equilibrium mixture of both compounds (～ 55% 9 and 45% 6 ) is obtained.     

Synthesis of(+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-Irone and of(-)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-Irone

A 3:1 mixture of (+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-irone ((+)-1) and (?)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-irone (?)-2) has been synthesized with ca. 70% e. e. by the ene reaction of (?)-(S)-3 and but-3-yn-2-one.     

Polynuclear Iron and Rhodium Complexes of 7-Oxa[2.2.1]hericene (2,3,5,6-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-one)

μ-Carbonyl(Rh? Rh)di(η⁵-indenyl)[(2R,3S)-C,2,3,C-η-(2,3,4,5-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-one)]]-dirhodium(I)(Rh? Rh) (7) and cis-μ-[(2R,3S,5R,6S))-C,2,3,C-η:C,5,6,C-η-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-one)]bis[μ-carbonyldi(η⁵-indenyl)dirhodium(I)(Rh? Rh)] ( 8 ) have been prepared. Complex 7 reacts with Fe₂(CO)₉ in hexane/MeOH and gives cis-μ-[(2R,3S,5R,6S] ( 9 ), trans-μ-[(2R,3S,5S,6R)-C,2,3,C-η: C,5,6, C-η-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-one)-μ-carbonyldi(η⁵-indenyl)dirhodium(I)(Rh? Rh)-(tricarbonyliron) ( 10 ), and, μ-carbonyl(Rh? Rh)[(2R,3S)-C,2,3,C-η-(2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-2-en-7-one)]di(η⁵-indenyl)dirhodium(I)(Rh? Rh) ( 11 ). Treatment of 7-oxa[2.2.1]hericene ( 4 ) with Fe₂(CO)₉ or (cyclooctene)₂Fe(CO)₃ gave a 1:2 mixture of cis-μ-[(2R,3S,5R,6S)-] ( 12 ) and trans-μ-[(2R,3S,5S,6R)-C,2,3,C-η:C,5,6,C-η-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-one)]bis(tricarbonyliron)( 13 ).     

Stereoselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions to (S)-1-Benzoyl-3-(cyanomethylidene)-5-(methoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidin-2-one

(5S)-1-Benzoyl-3-[(E)-cyanomethylidene]-5-(methoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidin-2-one ( 5 ) was prepared in four steps from L -pyroglutamic acid ( 1 ). 1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of diazomethane ( 6 ) and 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrile oxide ( 7 ) gave substituted 1,2,7-triazaspiro[4.4]non-1-en-6-one 12 and 1-oxa-2,7-diazaspiro[4,4]non-1-en-6-one 13 in 38 and 20% de, respectively. On the other hand, reaction of 5 with N-phenylbenzonitrile imines 8 and 9 , generated in situ from the corresponding hydrazonoyl chlorides 10 and 11 , respectively, and Et₃N, furnished racemic pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles 14 and 15 in 61 and 56% de, respectively. Cycloaddition of nitrile oxide 7 , when performed in the presence of Et₃N, led to pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole 16 in 85% de.     

Synthesis of 1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide

The reaction of methyl 2-bromo-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate ( 1 ) with methanesulfonamide gave methyl 2-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridine-carboxylate ( 2 ). Alkylation of compound 2 with methyl iodide followed by cyclization of the resulting methyl 2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate ( 3 ) yielded 1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide ( 4 ). The reaction of compound 4 with α,2,4-trichlorotoluene, methyl bromopropionate, methyl iodide, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl isocyanate, phenyl isocyanate and 2,4-dichloro-5-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl isothiocyanate gave, respectively, 4-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methoxy]-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine 2,2-dioxide ( 5 ), methyl 2-[[1-methyl-2,2-dioxido-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4-yl]oxy]propanoate ( 6 ), 1,3,3-trimethyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide ( 7 ), 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 8 ), 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-N-phenyl-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 9 ) and N-[2,4-dichloro-5-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2] thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 10 ).     

Optical properties,structural, and DFT studies of Pd(II) complexes with 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-thiol,X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(κ1-S-ptt)2(κ2-dppe)] complex

Seven tetrazole-thione complexes, [Pd₂(κ²-ptt)₄]( 1 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 2 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(SPPh₃)₂] ( 3 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(OPPh₃)₂] ( 4 ), [Pd(k¹-N-ptt)₂(k²-dppe)] ( 5a ), [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppe)] ( 5b ), [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppeS₂)] ( 6 ), and [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppeO₂)] ( 7 ), were prepared from 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (Hptt), with substituted phosphines. These complexes were investigated by CHNS analysis; infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (¹H and ³¹P), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy; and single-crystal X-ray data for 5b . In Complex 1 , the ptt⁻ ligand adopted μ²- k-N, k-S bridging mode to afford a dimeric complex, whereas in Complexes 2–4 , 6 , and 7 , the ptt⁻ was covalently coordinated via sulfur atom of the thiol group as a solo product. In contrast, in Complex 5 , the ptt⁻ ligand was bonded in a monodentate fashion through a deprotonated tetrazole ring nitrogen atom in isomer 5a or via a thiolato sulfur atom in isomer 5b . These linkage isomers were clearly shown in the ³¹P-{¹H} NMR. To explain the adoption of the ligand binding modes in Complexes 5a and 5b , geometry optimization calculations were carried out on two isomers. Very small differences of all molecular parameters were found between 5a and 5b isomers. This confirms the reason for obtaining two isomers. Also, theoretical studies are made for all compounds, and excellent agreement is obtained with experimental data. The direct band gap (Eg) values are equal to 2.88, 2.85, and 2.45 eV for Complexes 1 , 2 , and 4 , respectively, revealing a semiconductor nature. The inhibition activity of Complexes 1–3 , 5 , and 8 were evaluated versus the growth of four types of bacteria in vitro. The complexes showed a good activity compared with free ligand and a standard antibiotic.     

2,2′-Bifurylidene-5,5′-diones,Coumarins, 3a, 7a-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones,and 5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-ones from propyne and carbon monoxide

The [Co₂ (CO)₈]-catalyzed reaction between propyne and CO in acetone at 110° and 170 bar was re-investigated. There are five major products: (E)-3,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bifurylidene-5,5′-dione ( 4 ), 3,5,8-trimethylcoumarin ( 8 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetramethyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 9 ), 2,6-dimethyl-5H-furo [3,2, -b]- pyran-5-one ( 11 ), and 2,7-dimethyl-5H-furo 3,2-b-pyran-5-one ( 12 ); of these, only one, 4 . had previously been recognized. In parallel experiments were obtained 2,6-dipentyl-5 H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 13 ), 2,7-dipentyl–5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 14 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 15 ). And 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,6,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 16 ) from hept-1-yne, and two further types of products from two atypical 1-alkynes: 3,6,9-tri(tert-butyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,6,8-trien-2-one ( 20 ) from (tert-butyl)acetylene and the exo-dimer 21 of 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one ( 22 ) from (trimethylsilyl)acetylene. Compounds 11,12 , and 20 were identified by X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ((+)-(1R,2R,3S,5R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octan-2-ol)

Epoxidation of (?)-(1R,2R,4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl acetate ((?)-5) followed by saponification afforded (+)-(1R,4R,5R,6R)-5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)-7). Reduction of (+)-7 with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) gave (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ( = (+)-(1R,2R,3S,4R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^3,6]octan-2-ol; (+)-3). Hydride reductions of (±)-7 were less exo-face selective than reductions of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one and its derivatives with NaBH₄, AlH₃, and LiAlH₄ probably because of smaller steric hindrance to endo-face hydride attack when C(5) and C(6) of the bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-2-one are part of an exo oxirane ring.     

Highly Stereoselective Total Syntheses of 2,5-Anhydro-4-deoxy-D-ribo-hexonic Acid and of (1S)-1-C-(6-amino-7H-purin-8-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-deoxy-D-erythro-pentitol (= cordycepin C)

Highly regio- and stereoselective monohydroxylation of the C?C bond of (+)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 8 ) was achieved via LiAlH₄ reduction of the corresponding 5,6-exo-epoxy dimethyl acetal 9 . The reaction gave exclusively (–)-(1R, 2R, 4S)-6,6-dimethoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-ol ( 10 ) which was transformed into 2,5-anhydro-3-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-D -ribo-hexonic acid ( 15 ) and 2,5-anhydro-4-deoxy-D -ribo-hexonic acid ( 6 ) via ozonolysis of (–)-(1R, 4S, 6R)-6-exo-benzyloxy-2-{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 14 ). Cordycepin C ( 5 ) was derived from 6 and 4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine using CsF/DMF to generate the adenine heterocycle.     

Synthesis of Aristotelia-type alkaloids. Part VIII. Synthesis of (±)-aristolasicone

The revised structure of the indole alkaloid aristolasicone ( 2 ) was confirmed through a convergent total synthesis of the racemic form of this metabolite. The key step involves a one-pot condensation/cyclization reaction between 1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole-2-acetaldehyde ( 9 ) and (±)-trans-5-(2,6-difluorobenzyloxy)-p-menth-l-en-8-amine ((±)-7). The resulting allohobartine derivative (±)- 13 , obtained in 84% yield, was deprotected and oxidized to (±)-alloscrratenone ((±)- 15 ) which cyclized smoothly to the target molecule (±)-2 upon exposure to BF₃ · Et₂O.     

Enzymatic resolution of trans-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (trans-flavanon-3-ol) by lipase

trans-2,3-Dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-l-benzopyran-4-one (trans-flavanon-3-ol) was resolved to acetate of (2S,3S)-(-)-trans-flavanon-3-ol and (2R,3R)-(-)-trans-flavanon-3-ol by an enzymatic transesterification with vinyl acetate in the presence of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase.     

Synthesis of 3- and 4-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one,isomers of inosine containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom

The first synthesis of a purine nucleoside analog containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom is here reported. The direct glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one has been shown to give 3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (V) and 4-(β-D-ribof'uranosyl)-s-lriazolo[2,3-α]pyrimid-7-one (VII). The nueleoside V may he considered a close analog of inosine in which the nitrogen N₁ and C₅ of inosine have been interchanged. Bro-minalion of the tri-O-acelyl derivative IV gave, after deblocking, 6-bromo-3-(β-D-ribofurnaosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one (IX). Structural assignments of the nucleosides were made on the basis of comparison of the ultraviolet absorption spectral characteristics with 3-methyl-s-triazolo-[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (XI) and 4-methyl-s-lriazolo[2,3-a Jpyrimid-7-one (XII) prepared by a standard procedure from 7-methoxy-s-triazolo(2,3-a] pyrimidine (X).     

Conformations of the Ten-membered Ring in 5, 10-Secosteroids. III: (Z)-3β- and (Z)-3α-Hydroxy-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholesten-5-one Esters and (Z)-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-Cholestene-3, 5-dione

(Z)-3β-Acetoxy- and (Z)-3 α-acetoxy-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholesten-5-one ( 6a ) and ( 7a ) were synthesized by fragmentation of 3β-acetoxy-5α-cholestan-5-ol ( 1 ) and 3α-acetoxy-5β-cholestan-5-ol ( 2 ), respectively, using in both cases the hypoiodite reaction (the lead tetraacetate/iodine version). The 3β-acetate 6a was further transformed, via the 3β-alcohol 6d to the corresponding (Z)-3β-p-bromobenzoate ester 6b and to (Z)-5, 10-seco-1 (10)-cholestene-3, 5-dione ( 8 ) (also obtainable from the 3α-acetate 7a ). The ¹H-and ¹³C-NMR. spectra showed that the (Z)-unsaturated 10-membered ring in all three compounds ( 6a , 7a and 8 ) exists in toluene, in only one conformation of type C ₁, the same as that of the (Z)-3β-p-bromobenzoate 6b in the solid state found by X-ray analysis. The unfavourable relative spatial factors (interdistance and mutual orientation) of the active centres in conformations of type C ₁ are responsible for the absence of intramolecular cyclizations in the (Z)-ketoesters 6 and 7 ( a and c ).     

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective B(3)-Alkenylation/B(3,6)-Dialkenylation of o-Carboranes by Direct B−H Activation

Iridium-catalyzed formal alkyne hydroboration with cage B−H of o-carborane has been achieved, leading to the controlled synthesis of a series of 3,6-[trans-(AlkCH=CH)]₂-o-carboranes (Alk=alkyl), 3-cis-(ArCH=CH)-o-carboranes (Ar=aryl), and 3-cis-(ArCH=CH)-6-trans-(AlkCH=CH)-o-carboranes in high yields with excellent regio- and very good cis–trans selectivity. The most electron-deficient B(3,6)−H vertices favor oxidative addition on electron-rich metal centers, which is responsible for the regioselectivity. On the other hand, the configuration of the resultant olefinic units is dominated by alkyne substituents. Alkyl groups lead to a trans-configuration whereas bulky aryl substitutions result in cis-configuration.     

Synthese von (±)-Diplodialid B und A

Synthesis of (±)-Diplodialide B and A Two steroid hydroxylase inhibitors, diplodialide B (1) and A (2) have been synthesized in the following way: The lithium enolate 5 of S-t-butyl thioacetate (4) was added to (E)-7-(2′-tetrahydropyranoxy)-2-octen-1-al (8) and the newly formed 3-hydroxy group in the product 9 was protected as t-butyl-diphenyl silyl ether followed by selective hydrolysis of the tetrahydropyranyl ether to give 10. Treatment with AgNO₃/H₂O cleaved the S-t-butyl ester group in 10 to give the corresponding hydroxy carboxylic acid which was converted into the S-2-pyridyl thioester by treatment with di(2-pyridyl)disulfide and triphenyl phosphine and cyclized with AgClO₄ to give the (4E,3,9-trans)- and (4E,3,9-cis)-lactone 11 and 12 (R?t-Bu(C₆H₅)₂Si) in 67% yield. Chromatographic separation of 11 and 12 and cleavage of the t-butyl-diphenyl silyl ether with tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride yielded (±)-diplodialide B (1) with (4E,3,9-trans)-configuration and the (4E,3,9-cis)-isomer 12 (R?H). Both isomers could be oxidized to diplodialide A (2) with manganese dioxide. The synthesis described above has also been carried out via the intermediates 10 , 11 and 12 with R?COOCH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃.     

Synthesis of perhydro-2(1H)-quinoxalinones and perhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one derivatives

The novel trans-bicyclic-perhydro-2(1H)-quinoxalinones 4, 6 and 7 and the tricyclic-perhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]-quinoxalin-4(5H)-one derivatives 8 and 9 are prepared via a ring opening and spontaneous ring closing reaction of the aziridines 2 and 3 with the α-amino acids glycine, L-alanine, L-proline and L-phenylalanine. This methodology was used to prepare 5 and 10 which are novel rigid analogues of the kappa opioid compound 1. Treatment of aziridine 3 with methyl carbamate gave the cyclic urea 11.