The synthesis of 4-aminocarbonylmethoxy trinems was accomplished throu
gh Lewis acid catalysed opening of an epoxide intermediate with allyl
glycolate, followed by deallylation, activation of the free acid via t
he 2-pyridyl thiolester and reaction with a series of trimethylsilylam
ines. An alternative route involving a rhodium-catalysed diazoacetate
insertion was also successfully exploited. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science L
td.