Synlett 1998; 1998(12): 1378-1380
DOI: 10.1055/s-1998-1966
letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag, Rüdigerstr. 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany. All rights reserved. This journal, including all individual contributions and illustrations published therein, is legally protected by copyright for the duration of the copyright period. Any use, exploitation or commercialization outside the narrow limits set by copyright legislation, without the publisher's consent, is illegal and liable to criminal prosecution. This applies in particular to photostat reproduction, copying, cyclostyling, mimeographing or duplication of any kind, translating, preparation of microfilms, and electronic data processing and storage.

Synthesis of (+/-)-Oxohexahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrroles (Pyrrolidine-trans-lactones) via a Reduction-Alkylation Protocol

Simon J. F. Macdonald* , John G. Montana, Doreen M. Buckley, Michael D. Dowle
  • *Enzyme Chemistry II, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK; Fax + (0) 1438 763 616
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

A synthesis of pyrrolidine-trans-lactones is described commencing from 1-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-oxo-2-pyrrolidineacetic acid ethyl ester. cis-Reduction of the oxo-pyrrolidine followed by hydroxyl inversion with benzoic acid in a Mitsunobu reaction gave the trans-benzoate ester which was converted into its corresponding silyl ether. After allylation α to ethyl ester, silyl deprotection, saponification and trans-lactonisation gave pyrrolidine-trans-lactones. Stereoselective allylation of trans-1-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidine-acetic acid ethyl ester is feasible to give predominantly the desired diastereomer.