Total synthesis of LFA-1 antagonist BIRT-377 via organocatalytic asymmetric construction of a quaternary stereocenter

A catalytic route for enantioselective total synthesis of cell adhesion inhibitor BIRT-377 is described. The quaternary stereocenter was constructed through L-proline-derived, tetrazole-catalyzed direct asymmetric alpha-amination of 3-(4-bromophenyl)-2-methylpropanaI with dibenzyl azodicarboxylate. In the course of these studies, a one-pot trifluoro acetylation/selective benzyloxycarbonyl deprotection method was developed.