The Ugi reaction with 2-substituted cyclic imines. Synthesis of substituted proline and homoproline derivatives

The Ugi three-component reaction with 2-substituted five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic imines was investigated. The reaction opens a new route to substituted proline and homoproline derivatives. It was shown that the method is efficient for the one-step preparation of seminatural dipeptides containing natural amino acid residues, and fragments of substituted proline or pipecolinic acid. The scope and limitation of the approach are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.