Titanium(IV)-mediated tandem deprotection-cyclodehydration of protected cysteine N-amides: biomimetic syntheses of thiazoline- and thiazole-containing heterocycles.

The scope and limitations of TiCl(4)-mediated Delta(2)-thiazoline synthesis via tandem deprotection-dehydrocyclization of trityl-protected cysteine N-amides is presented. While chemical yields are acceptable (53-96%), the stereochemical outcomes vary on the basis of structural considerations and reaction conditions (22-99% ee). Racemization at the C(2)-exomethine position limits the utility of this method for the formation of a thiazoline within a peptide. Treatment of a tritylated Cys-Cys dipeptide with TiCl(4) afforded the corresponding thiazole-thiazoline heterocycle 12 (38% yield, 97% ee).