A Highly Efficient Synthesis of Fibrinogen Receptor Antagonist L-734,217 via a Novel Chemoselective Silyl-Mediated Conjugate Addition of δ-Lactams to 4-Vinylpyridine

A highly practical chromatography-free six-step synthesis of L-734,217 suitable for large scale preparation is described. The key chiral pyridine acid intermediate (R)-1 was prepared in four steps based on a novel chemoselective silyl-mediated conjugate addition of ethyl (2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)acetate to 4-vinylpyridine and a highly productive, recyclable, kinetic resolution with quinine. Subsequent salt breaking/peptide coupling with benzyl 3-(R)-aminobutyrate (2) in a biphasic system, followed by concomitant hydrogenation of the pyridine ring and debenzylation afforded L-734,217 in 20% overall yield (30% with one recyle) from 2-piperidone. The mechanism of this key conjugate addition to 4-vinylpyridine was studied by 13C NMR.