Chemical reactivity of 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) catalyzed by metalloporphyrins (Fe,Ru)

The transfer of the metallocarbene derived from N- and O-protected 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) catalyzed by metalloporphyrins undergoes dimerization, cyclopropanation, N-H and S-H insertion reactions, respectively. An efficient and direct synthesis of 5-oxo-l-pipecolic acid from DON is described from unprotected 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine.