A general approach to (5S,6R)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones: application to the asymmetric syntheses of neurokinin substance P receptor antagonist (-)-L-733,061 and (-)-deoxocassine.

A general approach to (5S,6R)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones based on the regio- and diastereoselective reductive alkylation of (S)-3-benzyloxyglutarimide 7 is described. This method opens an entrance to chiral nonracemic substituted 3-piperidinols. The versatility of the method is illustrated by the asymmetric syntheses of neurokinin substance P receptor antagonist L-733,061 (ent-1), (-)-deoxocassine (4), and an inhibitor of HIV proteases (5a).