Manchester NMR Methodology Group

We present a study of the acyl nitroso Diels-Alder (ANDA) reaction of sorbate esters and sorbic alcohol derivatives, using alkoxycarbonyl nitroso dienophiles. An optimisation of the reaction conditions for ethyl sorbate is first presented, and the product is used in an efficient synthesis of 5-methylornithine. Structure-reactivity trends in sorbic alcohol (E, E-2,4-hexadien-1-ol) and its acylated analogues are then discussed. We present single-crystal X-ray structural proof for key adducts in both series and present in detail a novel HMBC/HSQC (H-1-N-15) criterion for ready distinction of regioisomers arising from such ANDA reactions.