Stereoselective synthesis of (2s,3r)-3-hydroxyhomoserine lactone via anti selective dihydroxylation of an obo group-protected vinyl glycine analog

(2S,3R)-3-hydroxyhomoserine lactone (HSL) has been used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. In this study, we demonstrated an efficient synthesis of HSL via anti selective dihydroxylation of a protected vinyl glycine analog with an oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl orthoester (OBO) ester group. Because the acyclic conformation of the substrate was efficiently controlled by the bulky OBO ester group, a diastereoselectivity of > 10: 1 was obtained in the dihydroxylation reaction without the use of a chiral reagent. By using this result, the target compound 1 can be obtained from commercially available N-Cbz-L-serine 2 in seven steps with an overall yeid of 34%. This result could be applied to the stereoselective synthesis of biologically active molecules containing a vicinal amino diol moiety.