Diastereoselective Pictet–Spengler Reactions of a Tethered 2-Aminoimidazole

The diastereoselective Pictet–Spengler reaction of aminopropyl-2-aminoimidazole with enantiopure aldehydes has been investigated. With amino acid-derived aldehydes, anti stereochemistry is favoured, with a diastereoselectivity up to 92 % achievable. The absolute stereochemistry of the products was determined through synthesis of a rigid derivative and from NMR data in combination with molecular modelling. The diastereoselectivity was shown to be dependent on the steric bulk of the amino acid side chain and independent of the nitrogen protecting group. Lewis acids catalysed the reaction but did not affect the diastereoselectivity.