Application of the gold(I)-Catalyzed aldol reaction to a stereoselective synthesis of (2S, 3R, 4R, 6E)-3-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)oct-6-enoic Acid ( = MeBmt), Cyclosporin's unusual amino acid

The title compound 8 was prepared in three steps starting from the optically pure aldehyde (2R, 4E)-2-methyl-hex-4-enal ( 3 ), thus constituting the shortest synthetic approach reported. Two of the three stereogenic centers in the product were generated in a coupling reaction of 3 with ethyl isocyanoacetate, catalyzed by a gold(I)/chiral ferrocenylphosphine system, giving the dihydrooxazole 5 in 85% diastereoselectivity (mismatchedcase). The weak effect of double stereodifferentiation in this reaction (matched case 90% ds) is discussed. N-Methylation and hydrolytic ring opening of 5 gave the protected form 7 of MeBmt, The X-ray diffraction study carried out on 7 confirms the absolute configuration of the two stereogenic centers formed in the gold(I)-catalytic reaction.