Stereoselective synthesis of tubuvaline methyl ester and tubuphenylalanine, components of tubulysins, tubulin polymerization inhibitors

Synthetic studies of two components of tubulysins, tubulin polymerization inhibitors are described. The highly stereoselective synthesis of tubuvaline methyl ester (2) was accomplished by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrone d-6 and acrylic acid derivatives 7 as a key step. The synthesis of tubuphenylalanine (3) was conducted by an aldol reaction of a boron enolate of (S)-4-isopropyl-3-propionyl-2-oxazolidinone (13) with aldehyde 14, readily prepared from phenylalanine, followed by Barton deoxygenation under radical conditions.