Chiral Pool Synthesis: from α-Amino Acids and Derivatives

Mulzer, Johann

Comprehensive Chirality 2012, 2, 122-162.

Proteinogenic α-amino acids are readily available from Nature with enantiomeric purity. Both the amino and the carboxylic acid function are orthogonal and can be used for appropriate modification. The CN bond is generally maintained throughout the sequence, whereas the carboxylic acid is converted into a variety of derivatives, for instance alcohols, olefins, aldehydes, and so on. In this way chain elongation or formation of carbo- and heterocyclic rings is possible. This chapter covers the literature from 2000 onward and tries to give a representative though not comprehensive review of the synthesis of a wide variety of nitrogen containing natural products.