A novel and convenient route to L-homoserine lactones and L-phosphinothricin from L-aspartic acid

An efficient synthesis of L-phosphinothricin and N-protected-L-homoserine lactone derivatives starting from L-aspartic acid is described. Starting from L-aspartic acid a stereocontrolled synthesis of L-phosphinothricin 9 was achieved in eight steps via the homoserine lactone 6a .