Abstract Starting from D-glutamic acid (5), the bicyclic compounds 4a and 4b were synthesized via17 (Schemes 1 and 2). The reaction leading to 4g and 4h with LiCuPh 2 was not successful. But treatment of the N-protected model lactams 19, 21, and 22 with Li 2 Cu (CN) Ph 2 gave the amino ketones 24, 26, and 27, respectively (Scheme 3). The desired compound 23 was obtained from 20. Conversion of the unprotected lactams 28, 31, and ...
