The two-step flow asymmetric synthesis of chiral γ-nitrobutyric acids as key intermediates of the GABA analogues baclofen, phenibut, and fluorophenibut is reported on a multigram scale. The telescoped process comprises an enantioselective Michael-type addition facilitated by a polystyrene-supported heterogeneous organocatalyst under neat conditions followed by in situ-generated performic acid-mediated aldehyde oxidation. Simple access to valuable optically active substances is provided with key advances in terms of productivity and sustainability compared to those of previous batch approaches.
Telescoped Continuous Flow Synthesis of Optically Active γ-Nitrobutyric Acids as Key Intermediates of Baclofen, Phenibut, and Fluorophenibut
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Org. Lett. 2020, 22 (20), 8122–8126, DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c03100.