Enaminone‐Based Synthesis of Dipodazine Derivatives

A series of racemic dipodazine analogues 9 were prepared in 22–80% yield from (3Z,6RS)‐3‐[(dimethylamino)methylidene]‐6‐methyl‐1‐(phenylmethyl)piperazine‐2,5‐dione (7) (Scheme 1), which was prepared in four steps from (RS)‐alanine methyl ester hydrochloride. The preparation of nonracemic 7 from (S)‐alanine methyl ester hydrochloride failed, since the introduction of the enamino functionality at position 3 of the precursor 6 was accompanied by almost complete racemization.