The synthesis,configuration, and conformation of cis- and trans-3-amino-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxy-4-methylcarbostyrils and other configurationally related compounds

The cis- and trans-3-amino-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxy-4-methylcarbostyrils (Ia and Ib) were synthesized by catalytic hydrogenation of erythro- and threo-α-amino-β-(o-nitrophenyl)butyric acid hydrochlorides, IIIa and IIIb, respectively, under acidic conditions. The free bases of IIIa and IIIb were catalytically hydrogenated under neutral conditions to yield the erythro- and threo-α-amino-β-(o-aminophenyl)butyric acids (VIa and VIb), which were converted by acidification to their corresponding lactams, cis- and trans-3-amino-3,4-dihydro-4-methylcarbostyrils, IIa and IIb. The erythro and threo isomers of α-amino-β-(o-nitrophenyl)-butyric acid were prepared and separated by liquid chromatography via a diastereomeric mixture of (V) of methyl α-acetamido-β-(o-nitrophenyl)butyrates. The configurations and conformational assignments of the cyclic hydroxamic acids Ia and Ib were first established by analysis of the proton nmr spectra. In turn, the configurations of the o-nitroaromatic amino acids IIIa and IIIb were assigned as well as the other structurally related compounds (VIa, VIb, IIa and IIb) derived therefrom.