| abstract |
Preparation of azlactones represented by the formulan wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or nitrogen containing heterocyclic group, and R 1 is an N-blocked amino acid residue or peptide chain, and stereoisomers thereof, nby oxidizing the corresponding saturated azlactone with a benzoquinone oxidizing agent in the presence of a base. The unsaturated azlactones, some of which are novel, can be converted to dehydropeptides, which are useful as intermediates for preparing novel biologically active compounds, or themselves have biological activity. |