ChemInform Abstract: Stereospecific Synthesis of 4-Alkylglutamates and 4-Alkylprolines.

Catalytic reduction of the 4-alkylidenepyroglutamate derivatives (3) affords an effective route to (2S,4S)-4-alkylglutamic acids and (2S,4S)-4-alkylprolines. The route has also been used to prepare a 4-alkylpyroglutamic acid derivative which is stereospecifically labelled in the side chain. Synthesis of the (2S,4R)-epimers using cuprate addition has also been investigated.