Concise route to α-acylamino-β-keto amides: application to the synthesis of a simplified azinomycin A analogue

Condensation of acid chlorides (alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl) with N,N′-dialkyl α-acylamino malonamides in the presence of magnesium ethoxide provides a direct route to α-acylamino-β-keto amides in moderate to good yields (46–95%). Using this method, a concise route to an enantiomerically enriched 1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane containing most of the elements of the ‘right-hand’ domain of azinomycin A has been developed.