Synthesis of 7-substituted benzolactam-V8s and their selectivity for protein kinase C isozymes.

[reaction: see text] Condensation of L-valine benzyl ester toluenesulfonic acid salt with a substituted cyclohexadione followed by aromatization with the assistance of NBS provides an N-aryl L-valine benzyl ester. This intermediate is converted into 7-substituted benzolactam-V8s using an asymmetric Strecker reaction as the key step. The target molecules show a different pattern of isozyme selectivity relative to the 8-substituted benzolactam-V8s.