Avenic acid A (1), an amino acid derivative possessing an iron chelating activity and excreted from the root of Avena sativa L. was synthesized in optically active form by successive reductive coupling of protected L-aspartic β-semialdehyde and L-malic semialdehyde with L-homoserine lactone. 2′-Deoxymugineic acid (2), a related substance was also synthesized by the same method by which the stereostructure of this amino acid ...
