Total synthesis of (+) methyl β-d-vicenisaminide

The total synthesis of methyl β-d-vicenisaminide 1 has been achieved. In this approach, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure methyl (4R,5S)- and (4S,5R)-4-azido-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoates 2 was established by enzymatic resolution of (±)-anti-5-acetoxy -4-azido-2(E)-hexenoate 4. Another stereogenic center was introduced by base-catalyzed intramolecular conjugate addition of a hemiacetal-derived alkoxide nucleophile obtained by the reaction of methyl (4S,5R)-N-4-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino-5-hydroxyl-2(E)-hexenoate 8 and benzaldehyde in the presence of a base.