Synthesis of 1,3-diacylaminopropan-2-ols and corresponding 2-acyl derivatives as amide isosteres of natural lipids.

N,N'-diacyl-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ols as amide isosteres of 1,3-diacylglycerols are obtained in 50-79% yields by treatment of 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol with acid chlorides either in ether or THF in the presence of triethylamine and catalytic amounts of 4-dimethyl-aminopyridine. Subsequent acylation of the secondary alcohol function with a variety of carboxylic acids (e.g. fatty acids, N-protected amino acids, drug compounds) can be effected by various techniques (i.e. acid chlorides, symmetrical anhydrides, isopropenyl chloroformate) with yields ranging from 56% to 76%.