N-thioacyl 1,3-amino alcohols: synthesis via ring-opening of oxiranes with thioamide dianions and applications as key intermediates leading to stereochemically defined 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazines and 1,3-amino alcohols.

N-Thioacyl 1,3-amino alcohols were synthesized via the ring-opening of oxiranes with thioamide dianions generated from N-benzyl thioamides and BuLi in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. The diastereomers of N-thioacyl 1,3-amino alcohols were readily separated by column chromatography to give stereochemically defined N-thioacyl 1,3-amino alcohols. They underwent intramolecular cyclization with Bu4F and EtI to give 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazines.

Reaction and characterization of thioamide dianions derived from N-benzyl thioamides.

Thioamide dianions were generated by the highly efficient reaction of N-benzyl thioamides with 2 equiv of BuLi. Alkylation, allylation, and silylation took place selectively at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom of the thioamide dianions. Oxiranes and an aldehyde were also used as electrophiles in the reaction of thioamide dianions to form N-thioacyl 1,3- or 1,2-amino alcohols.

Generation and reactions of a selenoamide dianion.

The selective generation of selenoamide monoanion and dianion was achieved by reacting N-benzyl selenobenzamide with BuLi. Alkylation of the dianion with 1 equiv of electrophile took place at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom, and subsequent hydrolysis produced functionalized selenoamides in good to high yields. Ring opening of oxiranes using the dianion proceeded with high regio- and stereoselectivity to form N-3-hydroxy-1-phenylalkyl selenobenzamides.