Synthesis of a novel category of pseudo-peptides using an Ugi three-component reaction of levulinic acid as bifunctional substrate, amines, and amino acid-based isocyanides.

The synthesis of a novel category of pseudo-peptides via intramolecular Ugi reaction of levulinic acid (4-oxopentanoic acid), aromatic and aliphatic amines, and amino acid-based isocyanides is reported. Levulinic acid was applied as a bifunctional substrate containing both carbonyl and acid moieties suitable for the Ugi reaction. This article provides a facile and convenient one-pot procedure for the synthesis of peptide-like heterocyclic molecules containing 2-pyrrolidone (gamma-lactam), amide and ester functional groups with good to excellent yields.