Condensation of 1,4-diacetylpiperazine-2,5-dione with aldehydes

Condensation of 1,4-diacetylpiperazine-2,5-dione with aldehydes has been applied to the synthesis of albonoursin and unsymmetrical 3,6-diarylidenepiperazine-2,5-diones. The reaction has been extended to 1,4-diacetyl-3,6-dimethylpiperazine-2,5-dione, which gives derivatives of 2-methyl-3- phenylserine. The mechanism and stereochemistry are discussed; cis 1-acetyl-3-isobutylidene- piperazine-2,5-dione has been isolated.