One-pot transformation of a t-butyl carbamate to a bromoacetamide in the synthesis of the gene transfer agent pcTG201

The gene transfer agent pcTG201, a cationic lipid in which (S)-3-aminopropa ne-1,2-diol bears two oleoyl chains and an N,N'-permethylated diammonio pol ar head, has been prepared from (R)-glycidol by a short reaction sequence i ncluding a one-pot conversion of a t-butyl carbamate to a bromoacetamide an d the substitution of an iodide with 3-(dimethylamino) propyltrimethylammon ium iodide.