An Efficient Synthesis of erythro-β-Hydroxy-L-histidine, the Pivotal Amino Acid of Bleomycin-Fe(II)–O2 Complex

erythro-β-Hydroxy-L-histidine is efficiently synthesized in organic solvents from the aldol reaction of (R)-3-bromoacetyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one and 1-triphenylmethylimidazole-4-carbaldehyde followed by SN2 reaction with LiN3 and hydrogenation.